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ORIGINAL NARRATIVES 
OF EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY 

REPRODUCED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE 
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION 

General Editor, J. FRANKLIN JAMESON, Ph.D., LL.D. 

DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH IN THB 
CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON 



JOHNSON'S 
WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE 

1628 — 1651 



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Mew England 

.i_;i>;,iuh planting ir -^ • V.-..^*., 

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From a copy of the ori<,'inMl in tlic Wolmni TiiMic l>il)rary 



ORIGINAL NARRATIVES 
OF EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY 



JOHNSON'S 

WONDER - WORKING 

PROVIDENCE 

1628-1651 



EDITED BY 



J. FRANKLIN JAMESON, Ph.D., LL.D. 

DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH IN THE CARNEGIE INSTITUTION 

OF WASHINGTON 



WITH A MAP AND TWO FACSIMILES 



CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS 
NEW YORK 



t 






Copyright, 1910, by 
CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS 



Printed in the United States of America 



All rights reserved. No part of this book 
may be reproduced in any form without 
the permission of Charles Scribner's Sons 



^CUtftv!(^ 




CONTENTS 

JOHNSON'S WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE OF SIGNS 

SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND— "HISTORY OF 

NEW ENGLAND" 

Edited bt J. Franklin Jameson 

VAftI 

Introduction 3 

To THE Reader 21 

Book I. The Sad Condition of Old England 23 

The Call of Christ's People to New England; their Churches . . 25 

The Demeanor of their Church Oflficers 26 

The Demeanor of the People 28 

Their Civil Government; the Maintenance of the First Table . . 30 

Their Care for Warlike Discipline 33 

Their Liberty; their Charter; their Means 36 

The Massachusetts Indians 39 

The Pestilence 40 

The Men of Plymouth and the Indians 42 

John Endicott 44 

The Settlement of Salem 45 

The Founding of the Salem Church; Mr. Higginson and Mr, Skelton 46 

The Glorious Beginnings of a Thorough Church Reformation . . 49 

The Farewell to England 50 

The Cost of the Peopling of New England 54 

God's Providence in Transporting his People Safely .... 56 

An Exhortation to the Advancing of the Kingdom of Christ . . 68 

Providences in Deliverance from Perils of Waters .... 61 

The Arrival of Winthrop's Fleet; the Old Planters .... 63 

The First Elections, 1630; the Death of Isaac Johnson and Others . 65 

The Gathering of the Church of Charlestown-Boston; Mr. Wilson . 67 

The Church and Town of Dorchester; Mr. Maverick ... 69 

The Church and Town of Boston 70 

The Church and Town of Roxbury; Mr. Eliot . . . . . 71 

The Church and Town of Lynn; Mr. Batchellor .... 73 

The Church and Town of Watertown; Mr. Phillips .... 74 
The Trials of the Wilderness; Governor John Winthrop re-elected, 

1631 75 

The Lord's Protection of his People from the Indians; the Small Pox . 78 

V 

f 



vi CONTENTS 

PACK 

The Elections of 1G32; Deputy Governor Thomas Dudley . . 81 

Mr. James of Charlestown 82 

Mr. Weld of lloxbury 83 

Mr. Wilson of Boston; his Return 84 

The Elections of 1G33; Mr. Increase Nowell 85 

Supplies in Time of Need 86 

Arrival of Mr. Haynes, Mr. Stone, and Mr. John Cotton ... 87 

The Church and Town of Newtown or Cambridge; Mr. Hooker . 90 

The Elections of 1634; Mr. Stone 93 

The Escape of Mr. Norton and Mr. Shepard from England . . 94 

The Church and Town of Ipswich; Mr. Nathaniel Ward ... 95 

The Arrival of Mr. Bellingham and Mr. Lothrop .... 97 

The Church and Town of Newbury; Mr. Noyes and Mr. Parker . 98 

The Arrival of Mr. Symmes 100 

The Elections of 1635 101 

The Arrival of Sir Henry Vane and Sir Richard Saltonstall . . 102 

Of Mr. Harlakenden and of Eleven Ministers; Mr. Norton . . 103 

Mr. Richard Mather 105 

The Founding of Connecticut 105 

The Gathering of the Second Cambridge Church; Mr. Shepard . 107 

The Arrival of Mr. Hugh Peters 109 

The Church and Town of Concord; Mr. Bulkley . . . .110 

The Laborious Work of Planting it; Mr. Jones Ill 

The Church and Town of Hingham; Mr. Hobart .... 115 

The Arrival of Mr. Thomas Flint, Mr. Carter, and others . . . 117 
The Elections of 1636; Mr. Fenwick's Plantation . . . .118 

Mr. Partridge of Du.xbury; Mr. Nathaniel Rogers of Ipswich . . 119 

Mr. Whiting of Lj^nn 120 

Satan raises Enemies against Christ's People 121 

Justification by Faith; Mr, Cotton 125 

The Magnifying of Free Grace 126 

The Gainsaying of Mrs. Hutchinson 127 

The Shallowness of the Erronists 128 

They slight the Ordinances of Christ 129 

They disturb the Churches 131 

The Distress of a Poor Soul landing at this Time .... 133 

The New England Churches prone neither to Heresy nor to Tyranny 136 

The Elections of 1637 139 

The Form of Civil Government in New England .... 140 

Mr. Simon Bradstreet 141 

The Principal Deputies 143 

Book II. The Beginning of the Pequot War 147 

The Lord delivers his People from Error; the Calling of the Synod . 152 

Prosperity in Outward Things 153 

The Lonl Preserves his People from Morton and the Bishops . . 154 

The Malignancy of the English Prelates and their Downfall . . 157 

The Embassy to Canonicus 161 



CONTENTS vu 

PAGE 

The Insolence of the Pequots 164 

The March against them; the Ministers' Exhortations . . .165 

The Destruction of the Pequots 167 

The Assemblage of the Synod 170 

Four Sorts of Men who might profitably have Attended . . . 171 

The Disarming of Dangerous Heretics; Excommunication of Some . 175 

The Planting of the Colony of New Haven 176 

Mr. John Davenport 177 

Mr. Theophilus Eaton; Mr. Hopkins 178 

The Church and Town of Dedham; Mr. Allen 179 

The Church and Town of Weymouth 181 

The Elections of 1638 182 

The Establishment of a Printing Press 183 

The Church and Town of Rowley; Mr. Ezekiel Rogers and Mr. 

Miller 183 

The Earthquake; the Banishment of the Erronists . . . .185 

Their Bad End 186 

Mr. John Harvard and Harvard College 187 

The Elections of 1639 ; the Church and Town of Hampton; Mr. Dalton 188 
The Church and Town of Salisbury; Mr. Worcester . . . .189 

Mr. Knowles added to the Church of Watertown .... 190 

Sad Accident at Boston 191 

The Elections of 1640; the Arrival of Mr. Burr and Mr. Rayner . 192 

Of other Ministers 193 

The Planting of Long Island 195 

The Church and Town of Sudbury; Mr. Brown . . . .195 

The Church and Town of Braintree; Mr. Thompson and Mr. Flint . 197 

The Desire for the Promotion of Learning 198 

The Founding of Harvard College 200 

Hopeful Plants raised up therein 202 

President Dunster 204 

The Elections of 1641 205 

The Church and Town of Gloucester; Mr. Blinman .... 205 

The Church and Town of Dover 206 

Sundry Misguided Persons sail for the Isle of Providence . . . 207 
The Elections of 1642; the Fall in the Price of Cattle . . .209 

The Prosperity of New England 210 

The Founding of the Town of Wobvim 212 

The Gathering of the Church 214 

The Church Covenant 216 

The Ordination of Mr. Thomas Carter 217 

The Elections of 1643; the New England Confederation . . .219 

The Struggle between Miantonomoh and Uncas 220 

The Death of Miantonomoh 222 

The Outrageous Conduct of the Gortonists 222 

Their Punishment 224 

The Elections of 1644; The Church and Town of Reading; Mr. 

Green . 225 



viii CONTENTS 

PAOX 

The Church and Town of Wenham; Mr. Fisk 226 

Military Precautions and Arrangements 227 

The Military Commanders 229 

The Fortifications 231 

Book III. The Elections of 1645 234 

The Church and Town of Haverhill; Mr. John Ward ... 234 

The Sons of Canonicus overawed 235 

The Church and Town of Springfield; Mr. Moxon .... 236 

Fasting and Prayer for the Brethren in England 238 

The Elections of 1046; the Petition of Dr. Child and others . . 240 

The Mission of Winslow 241 

The Second Synod of Cambridge; the Cambridge Platform . . 242 

The Images of the Sun 243 

The Compiling of the Laws of 1648 244 

The Elections of 1647; the Rise of Manufactures .... 245 

The Elections of 1648; the Church and Town of Andover . . 249 

The Church and Town of INIalden 250 

The North Church of Boston 251 

The Death of Winthrop and other Eminent Persons .... 251 

Other Disasters 253 

The Elections of 1650 254 

Of 1651; Special Providences 255 

Verses on God's Dealings with His New England People . . . 257 

The Preaching of Christ to the Indians 261 

Ministers sent to the Godly in Virginia 265 

Judgments following their Expulsion 266 

The Church in the Bermudas 267 

The Time of the Fall of Antichrist 268 

Concluding Verses on God's Wonder-working Providence . . . 272 

Index 277 



MAP AND FACSIMILE REPRODUCTIONS 

Title-Page of the "Wonder-working Providence." From a copy of 

the original in the Woburn PubHc Library . . . Frontispiece 

PAGE 

Map of New England in 1628-1651. From Palfrey's "History of New 

England" 64 

First Page of the Records op the Town of Woburn. Handwriting of 

Major William Johnson, son of Captain Edward Johnson . . .213 



WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE 
OF SIONS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 

1628-1651 



INTRODUCTION 

Late in the year 1653, but under date of 1654, Nathaniel 
Brooke, a London publisher, ''at the Angel in Cornhill," 
brought out a small octavo book of two hundred and thirty- 
six pages, entitled A History of New-England, from the Eng- 
lish planting in the Yeere 1628 untill the Yeere 1652, etc. The 
title, inexact in any case, for the book is rather a history of 
Massachusetts than of all New England, was evidently affixed 
by the publisher. His advertisements show that at one time 
he thought of giving the book the title Historicall Relation of 
the First Planting of the English in New England in the Year 
1628 to the Year 1653 and all the Materiall Passages happening 
there. But many reiterations in the text of the book show that 
the author's own title for his production was that which ap- 
pears in the running headlines of the printed book, and by 
which it has been generally known, The Wonder-working 
Providence of Sion's Saviour in New England. The author's 
name nowhere appears in the book. 

Five years later the publisher took advantage of this 
latter fact, since the sale of the work had been so disappoint- 
ing as to leave many copies on his hands, to utilize the sheets 
in another of his ventures. He had in hand a book entitled 
America Painted to the Life. Of the four parts of which he 
composed it, the first and fourth were apparently written by 
Ferdinando Gorges, Esquire, grandson of the celebrated pat- 
entee Sir Ferdinando Gorges, while the second was by that 
knight himself. Brooke impudently sandwiched-in the un- 
sold sheets of Wonder-working Providence as Part iii., ''Written 
by Sir Ferdinando Gorges Knight" (the grandfather), and 

3 



4 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE 

"Publisht since his decease by his Grandchild Ferdinando 
Gorges Esquire, who hath much enlarged it and added severall 
accurate Descriptions of his owne." 

The reader who has any remembrance of the relations 
between Sir Ferdinando Gorges and the Massachusetts colony, 
and of the diametrical difference between his state of mind 
and that which breathes through every page of the Wonder- 
working Providence, will say that imposture could hardly be 
more shameless. The younger Gorges protested publicly. 
In the newspaper called Mercurius Politicus for September 13, 
1660, appeared the following advertisement: 

I, Ferdinando Gorges, the entituled Author of a late Book, called 
America Painted to the Life, am injured in that additional Part, 
called Sions Saviour in New England (as written by Sir Ferdinando 
Gorges;) that being none of his, and formerly printed in another 
name, the true owner. 

The last statement is erroneous. So far as is known, no 
copies of the original book were issued with the author's name. 
In New England it has been known for more than two hundred 
years that it was written by Captain Edward Johnson of Wo- 
burn, Massachusetts. The accurate Thomas Prince, in the 
preface to his Chronological History of New England (Boston, 
1736), after speaking of the false attribution of the book to 
Gorges, says: "But the true Author was Mr. Johnson of 
Wobum in New England, as the late Judge Sewall assur'd 
me, as of a Thing familliarly known among the Fathers of the 
Massachusetts Colony." In Prince's own copy of the Wonder- 
working Providence, now preserved in the library of the 
American Antiquarian Society at Worcester, is a manuscript 
note which is still more explicit: 

Judg Sewall tells me, this Book was known to have been written 
by Captiiin Johnson of Woburn, Father to Hon^' W™ John- 

son Esn'" of Wohurn, w" was chosen tissistant in 1684 at the same 
time w"^ Judg Sewall Himself, and as it was commonly known th*^ 



OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 5 

Capt. Johnson was the author of this Book; so the Judg was intimately 
acquainted w*^ his son the assistant, and had conferred w*^ Him 
about it. This the Judg tells me this [symbol for Friday] aug. 23, 1728. 

There are also various internal evidences which point to 
this authorship. The foundation of the town and church of 
Woburn are related at much greater length than is the case 
with any of the other Massachusetts towns, some of them much 
more important. Other transactions in which Captain John- 
son is known to have had an official part are likewise narrated 
with especial fulness. In chapter xxvi. of the second book, 
in which the author names the other officers of the military 
companies of the colony, he says, "The band of Concord is 
led by Capt. Simon Willard, being a Kentish souldier, as 
is Capt. Goggin [Gookin], . . . the band of Woburn led 
by another Kentish Captain." Now we know that the 
unnamed trainband captain of Woburn was Captain Ed- 
ward Johnson, and that he came from the county of Kent 
in England. 

The editor of this volume, a descendant of Captain Johnson, 
takes pleasure in remembering that by a little simple investi- 
gation in Canterbury, some years ago, he established with 
practical certainty the captain's genealogy and local position. 
The will of one of his sons, who died in Maryland, had recently 
disclosed the fact that the captain came from Canterbury. 
It now appeared that he was of the parish of St. George, that 
he was christened September 16 or 17, 1598 (born therefore 
in all probability a few days earlier), and that the future town 
clerk of Woburn was son of William Johnson, parish clerk of 
St. George's parish. He was married about 1618, and had 
five sons and two daughters, all born in England and christ- 
ened in St. George's Church, the last three in 1631, 1633, and 
1635, after their father's first voyage to New England. He 
was possessed of a considerable estate in Canterbury and 
elsewhere in Kent; and on his first appearance in New England 



6 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE 

is among the moderate number of those whom the official 
records of the colony call "Mr." 

Edward Johnson came over to New England in 1630 with 
Winthrop, probably in the Arhella. He was licensed by 
Governor Winthrop to trade with the Indians along the Merri- 
mac River, and in May, 1631, was admitted a freeman of the 
colony; but he returned to England, probably in that year, 
and remained there till the spring of 1636, when he came out 
again, this time bringing his family. This absence accounts 
for some of the meagreness and vagueness of his information 
respecting the events of the years 1631-1635. In an official 
list of passengers sailing from Sandwich, England, in 1636, 
for America, we find the entry, ''Edward Johnson, of Canter- 
bury, joiner, and Susan, his wife, seven children, three ser- 
vants." Data respecting the occupations of emigrants were 
often given in a form intended to mislead the royal officers; 
but the records of St. George's parish also call him a joiner, 
and two of his sons were shipwrights and carpenters. 

Arriving in Massachusetts at the height of the Antinomian 
excitement, of which he gives a vivid though prejudiced 
account, Johnson threw himself heart and soul into the life 
of the colony and of its orthodox party. Settling in Charles- 
town, where we find him in 1638 in the possession of consider- 
able land-grants, he found abundant opportunity for his active 
and optimistic spirit in the ''wilderness work" of founding a 
new town, that process so typical in American history. The 
General Court in May, 1640, on the petition of Charlestown, 
made a grant, enlarged a few months later to four miles 
square, for a new town to the northward, called at first Charles- 
town Village, but after incorporation Woburn. Of this new 
town Johnson was the leading man. For thirty years, from 
its incorporation in 1642 to his death in 1672, he was almost 
constantly one of its "selectmen" or executive committee- 
men, the captain of its trainband, its town clerk, and its repre- 



OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 7 

sentative in the General Court, and a great part of his time 
was given to its business. To his deep interest in its affairs 
we owe it that in Wonder-working Providence, book ii., chapter 
XXII., he gives an exceptionally full account of the successive 
steps in the founding of this new town and church — the ap- 
pointing of a committee of seven by Charlestown, the com- 
mittee's careful scrutiny of would-be settlers, its arrangements 
for village sites and the allotment of outlying farming lands, 
the engaging of a minister, the gathering of a covenanted 
church, the minister's ordination by the democratic methods 
of the new Congregationalism — an account so full and so in- 
teresting that it has been one of the classical passages for the 
student of the origins of town and church government in New 
England. At the first meeting of the persons chosen by the 
Charlestown church to manage the new settlement, Edward 
Johnson was chosen as their recorder or town clerk. Accord- 
ingly the first pages of the town records, preserved in a 
copy in his son's handwriting, furnish a parallel narrative, 
of all these transactions, to that which he gives in his book. 
Characteristically, he opens the town records with a rude 
''copy of verses," which are worth quoting (with clarified 
punctuation) for their exhibition of the writer's spirit and 
for their relation to the verses which so thickly bestrew 
the pages of his printed book. 

Records for the Towne of Wobume 
ffrom the year 1640 the 8 day of th 10 month 
Paulisper Fui 
In peniles age I woburne Towne began; 
Charls Towne first moved the Court my lins to span. 
To vewe my land place, compild body Reare, 
Nowell, Sims, Sedgwick, thes my paterons were.* 
Sum fearing He grow great upon these grownds, 
Poor I wase putt to nurs among the Clownes, 

' Increase Nowell, Rev. Zachary Symmes, Robert Sedgwick, in compliment 
to whom the town was named; see notes on their names, on pp. 85, 100, 212t 
post. 



8 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE 

Who being taken with such mighty things 

As had bin work of Noble Qeeins and Kings, 

Till Babe gan crye and great disturbance make; 

Nurses Repent they did har undertake. 

One leaves her quite; an other hee doth hie 

To forcn lands, free from the Babys Crye; 

To [two] more of seaven, seing nursing provd soe thwarte. 

Thought it more ease in following of the Carte. 

A naighbour by,' hopeing the Babe wold bee 

A pritty Girle, to Rocking har went hee. 

Too [two] nurses less undanted [danted ?] then [than] the rest, 

fErst howses ffinish; thus the Girle gane drest. 

Its Rare to see how this poore Towne did rise 

By weakest means, two [too] weake in great ons [ones'] eys. 

And sure it is that mettells cleere exstraction 

Had never share in this Poore Towns erextion; 

Without which metall and sum fresh suplys 

Patrons conclud she never upp wold rise. 

If ever she mongst ladys have a station, 

Say twas ITrom Parentes, not har education. 

And now conclud the lords owne hand it wase 

That with weak means did bring this work to pass, 

Not only Towne but Sistor church to ade 

Which out of dust and Ashes now is had. 

Then all Inhabit woburne Towne, stay make 

The lord, not means, of all you undertake.^ 

Greatly as Captain Johnson was interested in the affairs 
of the town of Woburn, yet from the time of his entrance into 
the legislature or General Court as representative of that 
town we find his practical talents largely employed in the 
concerns of the colony at large. He was placed on nearly 
every military committee, and in 1659 became surveyor- 

' Johnson himself. Under the designation of nurses he alludes to the seven 
members of the managing committee appointed by Charlestown. 

*The meaning is, "Then all who inhabit Woburn town, make the Lord, 
not the mere means or instrumentalities, the chief stay of all that you under- 
take." See these verses in the fac-simile opposite p. 21.3. The most important 
extracts from the early town records of Woburn are printed in the introduction 
to Poole's edition of the Wondcr-ivorking Prondence, pp. Ixxx-lxxxix. The full 
text of them, with notes by Hon. Edward F. Johnson and Mr. William R. 
Cutter, was printed in the Woburn Journal newspaper in 1888. 



OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 9 

general of the arms and munitions of the colony. He took 
part in the arrest of Gorton in 1643. In 1645-1647 he served 
on some of the important committees for the codification of 
the laws. He had apparently especial skill in surveying, and 
often had duties in that field assigned to him by the General 
Court. Thus it will be seen that when he undertook the 
writing of a history of the colony, he had had good opportuni- 
ties of knowing its towns, by personal visits or through their 
representatives, and that he was familiar with many portions 
of its public business, by reason of several years of active 
participation, in a subordinate but still influential capacity. 
This participation he continued for many years after the 
composition of the book, and indeed until his death, which 
took place on April 23, 1672. 

A systematic attempt to discover from internal evidence 
the date at which Captain Johnson wrote the Wonder-working 
Providence, shows that it was not all the product of one time. 
Various passages would seem to show that it was written, 
not only after the deaths of Winthrop and Shepard in March 
and August, 1649 (pp. 108, 251, 252), but also after the fourth 
election of Dudley as governor in May, 1650 (p. 81), yet 
before the third election of Endicott in May, 1651 (p. 44). 
Also the reference on p. 247 to Boston's soon-defeated hopes 
of being made a city would seem to fix the date between June, 
1650, and May, 1651. But on another page (p. 255) Endicott's 
election in May, 1651, is recorded, and the account on p. 202 
of the Harvard Commencement of August 12, 1651, and the 
graduation of Seaborn Cotton, compels a later date, though on 
p. 63 the latter is referred to as still "a young student in a 
Colledge." The truth no doubt is, that the book was mostly 
written in 1650, or before May of the next year, but that addi- 
tions and amendments were made later in 1651. The numer- 
ous descriptions given of the various towns seem to refer to 
their condition at about that date. 



10 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE 

The motive for the composition of the book appears from 
several passages. The author was convinced in every fibre 
that there had been set up in New England an ecclesiastical 
and civil polity more closely according with the Word of God 
than any other which the world had seen, and that the Lord 
had manifested His approval by doing marvellous things in the 
wilderness for these His chosen people. Persons disaffected 
to this holy experiment, lewd fellows like Morton and Gardiner, 
presumptuous heretics like Gorton, had spread in England 
reports injurious to the Massachusetts plantation, and these 
ought to be combated by any one who cared for the material 
and political welfare of the colony, or who valued intelligent 
English opinion. What was perhaps still more grievous, 
there had been bitter criticism even from a portion of the godly 
in England, for in the recent debates, in and out of the West- 
minster Assembly, on the reforming of the ecclesiastical polity 
of England, the Presbyterian party, dominant in Parliament, 
had hotly assailed the ''New England Way," the principles 
and practices of -Congregationalism. One to whom those 
principles were as clear as the sun, those practices invested 
with the absolute warrant of Scripture, could not rest easy 
without exhibiting to all English readers the marvellous 
providences, the gracious and evident mercies, by which 
Jehovah had proclaimed to every attentive ear His approval 
of New England methods. 

So came into existence the first published history of 
Massachusetts, a book which, whatever its shortcomings, 
represented the honest attempt of a Puritan man of affairs to 
set forth to his fellow-Englishmen the first twenty-three 
years' history of the great Puritan colony. A book on that 
subject, we may be sure, met a real want in the Puritan Eng- 
land of 1653 and 1654, although in the changed atmosphere 
of 1659 Nathaniel Brooke might find it slow of sale. But, 
printed as it was with the author three thousand miles away, 



OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 11 

it appeared with many typographical defects, and with vaga- 
ries of punctuation which must have made many passages 
difficult of comprehension even at the time of its appearance, 
and are still greater hindrances now. Printer's punctuation, 
executed under such circumstances, cannot be regarded as 
sacred. The editor of the present volume has by no means 
attempted to systematize the punctuation; even a pointing 
that may appear eccentric has in most cases not been altered 
if after all it leaves the sense clear. But where a stupid com- 
positor has given to the punctuation of the original a form 
which perverts or obscures the sense, yet the meaning intended 
is to an experienced eye perfectly clear, the needful alteration 
has been made without compunction. A good example oc- 
curs in the beginning of chapter xx. of the first book, where 
the author is made to say that Boston is ''invironed with the 
Brinish flouds, saving one small Istmos, which gives free 
accesse to the Neighbour Townes; by Land on the South side, 
on the North west, and North East,, two constant Faires are 
kept for daily traffique thereunto." Since ''Faires" is ob- 
viously a misprint for ''Ferries," to retain a punctuation 
which represents two ferries as operating in three different 
directions, and one of them by land, would be a Chinese 
fidelity for which the editor sees no occasion. Printing 
"Faires" but adding "Ferries" in square brackets, he silently 
alters the reading above to "Istmos, which gives free accesse 
to the Neighbour Townes by Land on the South side; on the 
North west," etc. But such alterations of punctuation have 
not been made save where the sense is indubitable. Brooke's 
printer's italics have been deemed no more sacred than his 
punctuation. 

With whatever helps an editor may supply, the Wonder- 
working Providence remains hard reading. Though the author 
can tell plain facts in a plain way when he chooses to do so, and 
gives us many valuable details respecting business matters. 



12 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE 

his enthusiasm for the great cause of militant Puritanism 
frequently leads him astray into rhetorical flights which, 
though often vigorous and imaginative, are turgid, bom- 
bastic, and tedious. Hardest of all to peruse are the 
labored verses which, with excellent motives and a pathetic 
patience, he has hammered out whenever he has felt that 
an eminent leader in the upbuilding of his Zion calls for 
especial commemoration. Yet the prose style has pictur- 
esque imagination and a certain manly vigor, and though 
the diction of the rhetorical passages is all borrowed from 
the one Book the author knew well, a diction borrowed 
from that source will never wholly lack beauty and ele- 
vation. Even among the verses, one may discriminate. 
There are worse verses than those in the ninth chapter of 
the third book, beginning, 

"From silent night, true Register of moans." 

Johnson's habit of "dropping into poetry" has been so 
much commented on by those who have in any way written of 
him, that it is natural to ask the question what models he fol- 
lowed, in the three varieties of metre which we see in his work. 
On this point the editor has consulted his friend Professor 
R. E. Neil Dodge, of the University of Wisconsin, an accom- 
plished student of Elizabethan verse. Of the metre of which 
Johnson's first two "poems," those in honor of Cradock and 
Endicott, are specimens, he says: "The measure as a whole, 
the fourteen-syllable couplet ('fourteeners' or, more learnedly, 
'septenars'), would in its general swing be familiar to every 
good Puritan in the metrical Psalms of Sternhold and Hop- 
kins, e. g., Ps. xxii. : 

*0 God my God, wherefore doest thou 

forsake me utterly: 
And helpest not, when I do make 

my great complaint and cry.* 



OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 13 

Sometimes, by rhyming the half-lines, these versifiers make of 
the original couplet a fully rhymed quatrain, e. g., Ps. xcv. : 

* O come let us lift up our voyce, 

and sing unto the Lord: 
In him our rock of health rejoyce 

let us with one accord.' 

The double ending is rare in these Psalms, as is also internal 
rhyme except in the quatrain arrangement given above. See, 
however, Ps. xxii., stanza 21 : 

*And from the Lyons mouth, that would 

me all in sunder shiver: 
And from the homes of unicornes, 

Lord safely me deliver.' 

The particular arrangement of internal, or sectional, rhymes 
which you say is characteristic of his verse may be found in 
TotteVs Miscellany (v. Arber's English Reprints), a book very 
popular with the Elizabethans under its title of Songs and 
Sonnets, which Master Slender wished he had with him when 
he set eyes on Mistress Anne Page (Merry Wives of Windsor); 
see p. 62 of Arber's edition: 

' O Goodly hand 

Wherein doth stand 
My heart distract in pain: 

Dear hand, alas! 

In little space 
My life thou dost restrain.' 

Write this out as a septenar couplet and you have exactly 
the measure with sectional rhymes used by Captain Johnson. 
It was common, but I cannot say just how common." 

The variety next seen, in the verses on Higginson, is the 
elegiac quatrain, that of Gray's Elegy. It had been used, saya 
Professor Dodge, by Wyatt, Surrey, Sir John Davies, and 



14 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE 

Spenser (Colin Clout's Come Home Again). All the verses in 
the book are in one of these two measures, except the poem 
alluded to above, beginning, 

"From silent night, true Register of moans," 

and that with which the volume closes. Of this six-line 
stanza. Professor Dodge says that it is "used by Spenser in 
January and December of the Shepherd's Calendar, in The 
Tears of the Muses, and elsewhere. It is to be found also in 
Shakespeare's Venus and Adonis, in Drayton's Legend of 
Gaveston and in several of his Eclogues, in fact in poetry about 
1600 very often." He adds: 

All these measures were sufficiently common to make specific 
investigation of the good Captain's models needless. He may have had 
his favorite poets and may have imitated them, but to decide who they 
were would require the reading of all his verse, and even by that process 
one would probably not arrive at any very exact conclusions, for it 
takes a man of artistic temperament to imitate style recognizably, 
whereas a man of ordinary facility with the pen may turn out verse 
according to familiar measures readily enough. 

However crabbed the style of the Wonder-working Provi- 
dence, he that reads it through will be profited. It is little to 
say that it is the first published history of New England, and 
the most important work on its history brought out before 
Cotton Mather's Magnalia (1702). This is only to say that 
Winthrop's Journal did not see the light of publication till 
1790, nor Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation till 1856. 
The Wonder-working Providence is far from ranking in the same 
class with those incomparable narratives. It is the work of a 
much inferior mind; it is disfigured, as may be seen from the 
foot-notes of the present edition, by many errors and inaccu- 
racies; and the thought and arrangement are often sadly con- 
fused. Yet it gives us, what neither Bradford nor Winthrop 
could supply, the history, or at any rate the essential spirit, 



OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 15 

of the Massachusetts colony depicted from the point of view 
of the rank and file. 

Captain Edward Johnson, though superior to the aver- 
age man in intelligence, education, abilities, and influence, 
may fairly be regarded as t)T)ical of the mass of Puritan 
settlers. He is by nature an "organization man," a stal- 
wart, a member of the majority, an upholder of constituted 
authority in political life. In religion, quite incapable of 
understanding the subtilties of theology, he adheres instinc- 
tively to the orthodox side. It is his nature to venerate 
his file-leaders, and to follow them enthusiastically and 
without a shadow of doubt that their beliefs and positions 
are alone correct. 

To see, displayed before us, the mind of such a Puritan, is 
no small privilege. The founders of Massachusetts, we know, 
were distinguished above most founders of colonies in the fact 
that they definitely intended to found a great state, on prin- 
ciples marked indeed by narrowness, but also by elevation. 
It is good to be permitted to see how far their notions pre- 
vailed in the minds of their less exalted followers, with what 
ardor of enthusiasm the austere programme of the leaders 
was maintained in the ranks. The foremost principle of the 
Puritan regime in Massachusetts was that the will and the 
interests of the individual should be rigidly subordinated to 
those of the community. It bred intolerance and persecution 
in the seventeenth century, but it bred solidarity and public 
spirit in the eighteenth and nineteenth. Democracy being 
fated to prevail in a new country, it is good to be enabled to 
see the early workings of that spirit of union and solidarity in 
the mind of the common man, captain or private in the village 
trainband. Captain Johnson explains to us Hosea Biglow. 
He helps us to understand the formation of that extraordinary 
body, the like of which the world has seldom seen, the Massa- 
chusetts population of 1840, so homogeneous, so resentful of 



16 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE 

contamination, yet so intelligent and capable and so infused 
with public spirit and the social sense that it could perform 
to a marvel the task which awaited it in the next half-century, 
the wholesale digesting of the alien. 

If we turn to the more personal qualities of Johnson as an 
historian, we must admit that we have in him a striking ex- 
ample of the hot zealotry, the narrow partisanship, the con- 
fident dogmatism, which characterized so much of Puritanism. 
All his opinions are self-evident to him. If for want of apter 
phrases one may repeat what one has already said of him 
elsewhere: "He is full of that narrow Hebraism which, when it 
prayed, kept open its windows toward Jerusalem, but closed 
every other avenue to the soul. To hew Agag in pieces before 
the Lord is to his mind not the least attractive of religious 
duties. With him the Church militant is more than a meta- 
phor. The life of the colony appears to him most frequently 
in the guise of an armed conflict; he hears in its story the noise 
of battle, the thunder of the captains and the shouting, and in 
vehement canticles summons the Israel of New England to the 
help of the Lord against the mighty." To the Puritan zeal 
he adds the Puritan superstition, and his pages bristle with 
special providences. 

Yet, however severe his creed, Johnson was a kindly man. 
This will be especially apparent to any one who, reading be- 
tween the lines, sees how gently he deals with erring brethren. 
His spirit, though narrow, is far from ignoble. He has those 
virtues which spring from confidence in a high purpose and a 
mission felt to be momentous and sacred. It is impossible 
not to admire the exaltation, the fervent enthusiasm with 
which, in such passages for instance as the fifth chapter of 
the second book, he glories in the success of militant Puritan- 
ism in old England, and which invests his hortatory passages, 
partisan harangues though they are, with a certain rugged 
eloquence. 



OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 17 

The original edition of the Wonder-working Providence is 
now a rare book, not to be obtained for less than a hundred 
dollars. There are copies, however, in the British Museum, 
the Boston Public Library, the Woburn PubUc Library, the 
Congregational Library in Boston, those of the Massachusetts 
Historical Society, the Boston Athenaeum, the American Ajiti- 
quarian Society, and Brown University, the John Carter 
Brown Library, the Pequot Library, that of the State of New 
York in Albany, the Lenox Branch of the New York Public 
Library, the Library of Congress, and the libraries of Mr. E. E. 
Ayer, the late Mr. E. D. Church, and the late Mr. L. Z. Leiter. 
The copy in the Woburn Public Library, which formerly be- 
longed to Dr. Abiel Holmes (and was ^'bought in London in the 
year 1810 for 7 s. sterling"), has, pasted on the inside of the 
cover, an advertisement clipped from a newspaper, unknown 
but of date between 1736 and 1762, in which John Draper, 
the Boston printer, proposes the reprinting of the work by 
subscriptions; but it was not done. In 1814-1819 the Massa- 
chusetts Historical Society reprinted it in portions scattered 
through volumes XL, III., IV., VIL, and VIII. of its second 
series of Collections, volumes reprinted in 1846 and 1826. The 
text was seen through the press by the accurate James Savage, 
but there were no annotations. In 1867 a reprint, almost a 
fac-simile, was brought out in a small edition of 260 copies by 
Dr. William F. Poole. This also was without annotations, 
but it has a long introduction on Johnson and his work which 
is a model of thorough investigation, and to which all subse- 
quent writers who have touched on Johnson, including the 
present editor, have been deeply indebted. The present is 
the first edition supplied with foot-notes, which the Wonder- 
working Providence seems particularly to require. 

The frontispiece to the present volume is a reproduction of 
the title-page of the original work, which, by the courtesy of 
Mr. William R. Cutter of the Woburn Public Library, we were 



18 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE 

permitted to make from the volume in his custody. The map 
of New England, showing the settlements founded within the 
period covered by the book, is taken from the first volume of Dr. 
John G. Palfrey's Hiatory of New England, by permission of 
Messrs. Little, Brown & Co., publishers of that work. The 
second fac-simile represents the first page of the town records 
of Woburn, consisting of the verses by Captain Edward John- 
son, town clerk, which have been quoted above, on pp. 7 and 8. 
The handwriting, however, is not that of the captain, but that 
of his son. Major William Johnson. For permission to photo- 
graph the document we are indebted to the present city clerk 
of Woburn, Mr. John H. Finn. 

J. Franklin Jameson. 



WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE 

OF SIONS SAVIOUR IN NEW-ENGLAND 

1628-1651 



A HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND 

From the English 'planting in the Yeere 1628. untill the Yeere 
1652. 

Declaring the form of their Government, Civill, Military, and 
Ecclesiastique. Their Wars with the Indians, their Troubles 
with the Gortonists, and other Heretiques. Their manner 
of gathering of Churches, the commodities of the Country, 
and description of the principall Towns and Havens, with 
the great encouragements to increase Trade betwixt them 
and Old England. With the names of all their Governours, 
Magistrates, and Eminent Ministers. 

Psal. 107.24. The righteous shall see it and rejoice, and all 
iniquity shall stop her mouth. 

Psal. 111.2. The works of the Lord are great, and ought to be 
sought out of all that have pleasure in them. 

London, Printed for Nath: Brooke at the Angel in Corn-hill. 
1654.^ 

TO THE READER 

Good Reader, 

As large Gates to small Edifices, so are long Prefaces to 
little Bookes; therefore I will breifly informe thee, that here 
thou shalt find, the time when, the manner how, the cause 
why, and the great successe which it hath pleased the Lord to 
give, to this handfull of his praysing Saints in N. Engl., and 
it will be clearely demonstrated, if thou compare them with 
any other people, who have left their countryes, as the Gothes, 
Vandals, etc. to possesse a fatter, as Italy, or warmer, as Spaine, 
etc. But these forsooke a fruitfull Land, stately Buildings, 
goodly Gardens, Orchards, yea, deare Friends, and neere 
relations, to goe to a desart Wildernesse, thousands of leagues 

* This, as explained in the Introduction, is the pubHsher's title for the book, 
not the author's. 

21 



22 WOxNDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE 

by Sea, both turbulent and dangerous; also many have trav- 
elled to see famous Cities, strong Fortifications, etc. or in hope 
to enjoy a setled habitation, where riches are attained with 
ease. But here the onely encouragements were the laborious 
breaking up of bushy ground, with the continued toyl of 
erecting houses, for themselves and cattell, in this howling 
desart; all which they underwent, with much cheerfulnesse, 
that they might enjoy Christ and his Ordinances in their 
primitive purity. 

And now, you, my honoured Countrey-men, who have 
with indefatigable paines, and expence of a great part of your 
Estates, furthered this blessed work: Behold how the Lord 
of Hosts hath carried it on in despight of all opposition from 
his and their enemies, in planting of his Churches in this 
New World, with the excellent frame of their Government, 
both civil and military, already established; but why stop I 
you at the Threshold? go in, and seriously consider this 
Wonder-working Providence of Sions Saviour. In the perusing 
of which, if thou receivest profit or delight, and God may have 
glory thereby, he hath attained the end that he aimed at, 
and full satisfaction for all his paynes, who heartily wishes 
thee all the good, both of this life, and a better life, in him who 
is a Christians all in all. 

T. H/ 

* Who T. H. was is not known. 



WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE OF SIONS 

SAVIOUR 

BEING A RELATION OF THE FIRST PLANTING IN NEW ENGLAND, 
IN THE YEARE, 1628 

[Book I.] 

Chap. I. 

The sad Condition of England, when this People removed. 

When England began to decline in Religion, like luke- 
warme Laodicea, and instead of purging out Popery, a farther 
compliance was sought not onely in vaine Idolatrous Cere- 
monies, but also in prophaning the Sabbath, and by Procla- 
mation throughout their Parish churches, exasperating lewd 
and prophane persons to celebrate a Sabbath like the Heathen 
to Venus, Baccus and Ceres; ^ in so much that the multitude 
of irreligious lascivious and popish affected persons spred the 
whole land like Grashoppers, in this very time Christ the 
glorious King of his Churches, raises an Army out of our 
English Nation, for freeing his people from their long servi- 
tude under usurping Prelacy; and because every corner of 
England was filled with the fury of malignant adversaries, 
Christ creates a New England to muster up the first of his 
Forces in; Whose low condition, little number, and remote- 
nesse of place made these adversaries triumph, despising 
this day of small things, but in this hight of their pride 
the Lord Christ brought sudden, and unexpected destruction 
upon them. Thus have you a touch of the time when this 
worke began. 

• An allusion to the Declaration concerning Sports, promulgated in 1617 by 
James I., and repeated by Charles I. in 1633, which permitted and indeed encour- 
aged the practice of playing games on Sundays, after church service. 



24 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1628 

Christ Jesus intending to manifest his Kingly Office toward 
his Churches more fully than ever yet the Sons of men saw, 
even to the uniting of Jew and Gentile Churches in one Faith, 
begins with our English Nation (whose former reformation 
being vere imperfect) doth now resolve to cast down their 
false foundation of Prelacy, even in the hight of their domi- 
neering dignity. And therefore in the yeere 1628, he stirres 
up his servants as the Pleralds of a King to make this procla- 
mation for Voluntiers, as followeth. 

"Oh yes! oh yes! oh yes! All you the people of Christ that 
are here Oppressed, Imprisoned and scurrilously derided, gather 
yourselves together, your Wives and little ones, and answer to 
your severall Names as you shall be shipped for his service, in 
the Westerne World, and more especially for planting the united 
Collonies of new England; Where you are to attend the service 
of the King of Kings J' 

Upon the divulging of this Proclamation by his Herralds 
at Armes, many (although otherwise willing for this service) 
began to object as followeth: 

''Can it possible be the mind of Christ, (who formerly 
inabled so many Souldiers of his to keepe their station unto 
the death here) that now so many brave Souldiers disciplined 
by Christ himselfe the Captaine of our salvation, should turne 
their backs to the disheartning of their Fellow-Souldiers, and 
losse of further opportunity in gaining a greater number of 
Subjects to Christs Kingdome?" 

Notwithstanding this Objection, It was further proclaimed 
as followeth: "What, Creature, wilt not know that Christ 
thy King crusheth with a rod of Iron, the Pompe and Pride 
of man, and must he like man cast and contrive to take his 
enemies at advantage? No, of purpose hee causeth such in- 
struments to retreate as hee hath made strong for himselfe: 
that so his adversaries glorying in the pride of their power, 
insulting over the little remnant remaining, Christ causeth 
them to be cast downe suddenly forever, and wee find in stories 
reported. Earths Princes have passed their Armies at need 
over Seas and deepe Torrents. Could Caesar so suddenly 
fetch over fresh forces from Europe to Asia, Pompy to foyle? 
How much more shall Christ who createth all power, call 
over this 900 league Ocean at his pleasure, such instruments 



1628] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 25 

as he thinks meete to make use of in this place, from 
whence you are now to depart, but further that you may 
not delay the Voyage intended, for your full satisfaction, 
know this is the place where the Lord will create a new 
Heaven, and a new Earth in, new Churches, and a new 
Common- wealth together; Wherefore, 

Chap. II. 

The Commission of the People of Christ shipped for New Eng- 
land, and first of their gathering into Churches. 

'^ Attend to your Commission, all you that are or shall 
hereafter be shipped for this service, yee are with all possible 
speed to imbarque your selves, and as for all such Worthies 
who are hunted after as David was by Saul and his Courtiers, 
you may change your habit and ship you with what secrecy 
you can, carrying all things most needfull for the Voyage and 
service you are to be imployed in after your landing. But as 
soone as you shall be exposed to danger of tempestious Seas, 
you shall forthwith shew whose servants you are by calling 
on the Name of your God, sometimes by extraordinary seek- 
ing his pleasing Face in times of deepe distresse, and publish- 
ing your Masters will, and pleasure to all that Voyage with 
you, and that is his minde to have purity in Religion preferred 
above all dignity in the world; your Christ hath commanded 
the Seas they shall not swallow you, nor Pyrates imprison 
your persons, or possesse your goods. At your landing see 
you observe the Rule of his Word, for neither larger nor 
stricter Commission can hee give by any, and therefore at 
first filling the Land whither you are sent, with diligence, 
search out the mind of God both in planting and continuing 
Church and civill Government, but be sure they be distinct, 
yet agreeing and helping the one to the other; Let the matter 
and forme of your Churches be such as were in the Primi- 
tive Times (before Antichrists Kingdome prevailed) plainly 
poynted out by Christ and his Apostles, in most of their 
Epistles, to be neither Nationall nor Provinciall, but gathered 
together in Covenant of such a number as might ordinarily 
meete together in one place, and built of such living stones as 



26 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1628 

outwardly appeare Saints by calling.* You are also to ordaine 
Elders in every Church, make you use of such as Christ hath 
indued with the best gifts for that end, their call to Office 
shall be mediate from you, but their authority and commission 
shall be immediate from Christ revealed in his word; which, 
if you shall slight, despise or contemne, hee will soone frustrate 
your call by taking the most able among you to honour with 
an everlasting Crown; whom you neglected to honour on 
Earth double as their due, or he will carry them remote from 
you to more infant Churches. You are not to put them upon 
anxious Cares for their daily Bread, for assuredly (although 
it may now seeme strange) you shall be fed in this Wildernesse, 
whither you are to goe, with the flower of ^Vheate, and AVine 
shall be plentifuU among you (but be sure you abuse it not). 
These Doctrines delivered from the Word of God imbrace, 
and let not Satan delude you by perswading their learned 
skill is unnecessary, soone then will the Word of God be 
slighted as translated by such, and you shall be left wildred 
with strange Revelations of every phantastick brain; which 
to prevent here are to be shipped among you many both 
Godly, Juditious and Learned, who 

Chap. III. 

Of the Demeanor of their Church Officers. 

''Being called to Office are in all humility to feed the 
flock of Christ, and not for lucre to admit mostly of such 
sheepe, whose faire fleeces allure much: nor yet for filling the 
flocks to crowd in infectious sheepe, or rather wolves in sheepes 
cloathing, assuredly it will prove bitternesse in the end : neither 
shall you, for feare your allowance will fall short, hinder the 

* That is, the ecclesiastical polity of New England was to be the Independent 
or Congregational polity — each local church, composed of converted Christians 
only, to be in nearly all particulars independent of other churches, and to be bound 
together by a covenant framed for and adopted by the individual church. But 
it would he quite erroneous to maintain, as Johnson's metaphorical language 
might lead one to suppose, that the Puritans who planned the great migration to 
New England had it in mind from the beginning to put in force there the Con- 
gregational polity. They regarded themselves as members of the Church of 
England till the force of circumstances led the Salem men into Independency. 



1628] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 27 

increase of Churches, that so your fellow brethren indued 
with like gifts fall short of all; But above all beware of any 
love selfe-conceited Opinion, stopping your ears from hearing 
the Counsell of an Orthodox Synod,* but by daily communica- 
tion one with another impart Christs minde each to other, 
that you may all speake one and the same things; heale not 
lightly the wounds that Wolves make, lest from their fester- 
ing Teeth a Gangrin grow; and further for compleating the 
Churches of Christ as well in matters as in Doctrine, there are 
ancient experienced godly Christians shipped among you (but 
be sure you make choise of such, for feare they be despised) 
and let them not be led by favor or affection (as naturally men 
are) to Administer in your Office partially, for unworthy the 
name of a Ruling Elder is hee, who loses his Lyon-like courage, 
when the sound and wholesome Doctrines delivered by Pastor 
or Teacher are spoken against by any;^ unseemely behaviour 
and sleepy hearing by private exhortation prevent (if possible) 
lest publick example in open professors stumble some and 
hinder the operation of his word, especially in the hearts of 
those who have bin long time led away with the inventions of 
man in the worship of God. Be sure you contradict not but 
confirme with trienall love the Doctrines of Christ, delivered 
by your Teaching Elders, which will be a great means to make 
it prevaile, for a three-fold cord is not easily broken, trust not 
to your own gifts for preventing error, but use all helpes that 

* In Congregational theory the local churches were not absolutely indepen- 
dent one of another. They were to help each other in several ways, one of 
which was that of admonition of an erring church by one of its neighbors, or by 
several in concert. It was also contemplated that general synods of all the 
churches should occasionally be called, though in practice Massachusetts had 
but four, the Cambridge Synod of 1637, dealing with the Antinomians (see post, 
bk. II., ch. VII.), the Cambridge Synod of 1646-1648 (bk. iii., ch. iv.), that of 
1662, and that of 1679-1680. 

^ At the beginning, the Congregational polity divided between three officers 
the functions performed by the pastor of a modern church. Each church was to 
ordain for itself a pastor, whose duty was that of exhortation ; a teacher, charged 
with exposition of the Scriptures and of theological doctrine (either of these two 
could administer the sacraments); and a ruling elder, charged with discipline and 
ecclesiastical administration. The system was founded on what was judged to 
be that of the primitive church, but was found difficult to maintain, and soon 
decayed. Deacons, spoken of below, had charge of the treasury of the church, 
provision for the sacraments, and the care of the poor. 



28 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1628 

Christ may bless his own meanes, cast not away as incorrigible 
such as at first receive not the word in all points, but wait 
with patience if at any time the Lord will be pleased to give 
them a heart to turne unto him. Beware of a proud censorious 
spirit, and should Christ be pleased to place in his building 
more pollished stones than thy selfe, make it matter of re- 
joycing and not of envy. And further, because the Preaching of 
the word is to be continued with all diligence, here are like- 
wise imbarked with you faithful servants of Christ to attend 
on the Tables of the Churches, plaine-dealing men, yea, in- 
dued with wisdome from above, by which they are inabled to 
manage and improve the Churches Treasury, not greedily 
given to hoord up for themselves, but by their own example 
leading others to liberality, and hospitality, having the Earth 
in low esteeme, and Faith in exercise when Cattell and Come 
fayle, not given to magnifie their own gifts, but boldly main- 
tayning such sound truths as their Teaching Elders have cleared 
up from the word of God. And, 

Chap. IV. 

How the People in Christs Churches are to behave themselves. 

Now you his People, who are pickt out by his provide[encel 
to passe this Westerne Ocean for this honourable service, be- 
ware you call not weake ones to Office in this honorable 
Army, nor Novices, lest they be lifted up with pride. You see 
how full you are furnished for the worke, give no eare to any 
Braggadociaes, who to extoll themselves will weaken the 
hands of those whom Christ hath made strong for himselfe. 
Yea, such will be the phantasticall madnesse of some (if you 
take not heed) that silly Women laden with diverse lusts, will 
be had in higher esteeme with them, then those honoured of 
Christ, indued with power and authority from him to Preach ; * 
Abuse not the free and full liberty Christ hath given you in 
making choyce of your own Officers, and consent in admitting 
into his Churches, and casting out such Members as walke 

' An allusion to the subsequent popularity of Mrs. Anne Hutchinson, whose 
gainsayini^ is described from the point of view of an orthodox upholder of the 
standing order, in chapters xxxix.-xliv. of book i., post. 



1628] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 29 

disorderly; you are to walke in all humility, lest in injoyment 
of such freedoms as you formerly have not exercised, you ex- 
ceede the bounds of modesty, and instead of having your 
moderation knowne to all, your imbecility, and selfe-exalta- 
tion bee discovered by many. In admission of others into 
Church society, remember your selves were once Aliens from 
the Covenant of Grace, and in Excommunication, consider 
how your selves have been also tempted: in sincerity and 
singlenesse of heart, let your words be few, do nothing [to] be 
had in high esteeme among men; And think it no imputation 
of a weake discerning to be followe[r]s of those are set over 
you in the Lord as they follow Christ; Let your Profession 
outstrip your Confession, for seeing you are to be set as lights 
upon a Hill more obvious than the highest Mountaine in the 
World, keepe close to Christ that you may shine full of his 
glory, who imployes you, and grub not continually in the 
Earth, like blind Moles, but by your amiable Conversation 
seeke the winning of many to your Masters service. Beware 
of a proud censorious spirit, make it no part of your Christian 
communication to be in continuall discourse of others faults; 
Let all things be done in love, and looke not for more smooth- 
nesse in stones as yet unplaced in Christs building then ^ is in 
thy selfe, who hast been long layd therein: wait with patience 
and cast not off as Reprobates such as cannot presently joyne 
with you in every poynt of Discipline, and yet hold fast to 
sound and wholesome Doctrine. If you will be a people to 
his prayse, who hath called you, seeke the turning of many 
to Righteousnesse, purge out all the sowre Leven of unsound 
Doctrine, for the minde of Christ is to build up his Churches, 
and breake them down no more; And therefore be sure there 
be none to hurt or destroy in all his holy Mountaine, and as he 
hath pressed you for his service, that by passing through the 
Flouds of Persecution you should be set at liberty, and have 
power put into your hands, Then let none wrest it from you 
under pretence of liberty of Conscience. Men of perverse 
judgements will draw Disciples after them, but let your con- 
sciences be pure, and Christs Churches free from all Doctrines 
that deceive. And all you, who are or shall be shipped for 

* It is the constant practice of the book to use then for than. 



30 WONDER -WOU KING PROVIDENCE [1628 

this worke, thinkc it not enough that you injoy the truth, but 
you must hute every false way and know you are called to be 
faithful Souldiers of Christ, not onely to assist in building up 
his Churches, but also in pulling downe the Kingdome of 
Anti-Christ, then sure you are not set up for tollerating times, 
nor shall any of you be content with this that you are set at 
liberty, but take up your Armes, and march manfully on till 
all opposers of Christs Kingly power be abolished : and as for 
you who are called to sound forth his silver Trumpets, blow 
lowd and shrill, to this chiefest treble tune; For the Armies 
of the great Jehovah are at hand. See you not his Enemies 
stretched out on tiptoe, proudly daring on their thresholds, a 
certaine signe of their sudden overthrow? be not danted at 
your small number, for every common Souldier in Christs 
Campe shall be as David, who slew the great Goliah, and his 
Davids shall be as the Angels of the Lord, who slew 185000. 
in the Assyrian Army.^ 

Finally, all you who are now sent forth by Christ your 
Jehovah to enter upon a. Blessed Reformation, if ever you 
will have the honours to be provokers of his ancient People 
Israel (who are againe suddenly to be honoured by him 
in believing) kindle the fire of jealousy in their brests by 
your Holy, Heavenly and humble walking, have you not 
the most blessedest opertunity put into your hands that 
ever people haa? then 

Chap. V. 

What Civill Government the People of Christ ought to set up, 
and submit unto in New England. 

Fayle not in prosecution of the Worke, for your Lord 
Christ hath furnished you with able Pilots, to steere the Helme 
in a godly peaceable, Civill Government also, then see you 
make choyce of such as are sound both in Profession and 
Confession, men fearing God and hating bribes; whose 
Commission is not onely limittcd with the commands of the 
second Table, but they are to looke to the Rules of the first 

* An allusion to II Kings xix. 35. 



1628] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 31 

also/ and let them be sure to put on Joshuas resolution, and 
courage, never to make League with any of these seven 
Sectaries.^ 

First, the Gortonists, who deny the Humanity of Christ, 
and most blaphemously and proudly professe themselves to 
be personally Christ. 

Secondly, the Papist, who with (almost) equall blasphemy 
and pride prefer their own Merits and Workes of Supereroga- 
tion as equall with Christs unvaluable Death, and Sufferings. 

Thirdly, the Familist, who depend upon rare Revelations, 
and forsake the sure revealed Word of Christ. 

Fourthly, Seekers, who deny the Churches and Ordinances 
of Christ. 

Fifthly, Antinomians, who deny the Morrall Law to be the 
Rule of Christ. 

Sixtly, Anabaptists, who deny Civill Government to be 
proved of Christ. 

Seventhly, The Prelacy, who will have their own Injunc- 
tions submitted unto in the Churches of Christ. These and 

'The "First Table" comprised the first four of the Ten Commandments, 
those deahng with duties to God; the "Second Table" the last six, dealing with 
duties to one's fellow men. The doctrine of the Massachusetts government, as 
evinced, e. g., in the case of Roger Williams, was that the civil power had the 
right to enforce obedience to the commandments of the First Table. 

'' No one will suppose that these are serenely impartial characterizations of 
these various religious bodies. The theology of Samuel Gorton, of Shawomet, 
and his followers (on whose secular history and relations to Massachusetts, see 
bk. II., chs. XXIII., XXIV., post) is not easy to grasp, Gorton being a somewhat inco- 
herent prophet; but he seems to have taught that Christ was simply a manifesta- 
tion of God, and that God is in a similar sense manifested in the true believer. 
The Familists were a sixteenth-century sect in Holland and England, called the 
Family of Love, from the love they professed for all human beings however 
wicked ; orthodox Puritans were wont to speak of them as unsettlers of morality. 
The Seekers, with whom Roger Williams had become identified as early as 1638, 
were men who had come to doubt or to deny that there were, or had been since 
the apostles' day, any true church, divine sacraments, or valid ordinances, and 
who waited for more light. Antinomian was, as is well known, a term of reproach 
unjustly applied to the followers of Wheelwright and Mrs. Hutchinson, their 
doctrine that " sanctification was no evidence of justification," conduct no evi- 
dence of divine grace indwelling in one of the elect, being travestied into a denial 
of the obligations of morality. Finally, Johnson's accusation against the Ana- 
baptists is founded on the fact that the early Anabaptists or Mennonites refused 
the taking of oaths, the acceptance of magisterial position, and the bearing of arms. 



82 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1628 

the like your Civill Censors shall reach unto, that the people 
of and under your Government, may live a quiet and peaceable 
life in all godlinesse and honesty, and to the end that you may 
provoke Kings, Princes, and all that are in authority to cast 
downe their Crownes at the Feet of Christ, and take them up 
againe at liis command to serve under his Standard as nursing 
Fathers, and nursing Mothers to the Churches and people of 
Christ; when your feete are once safely set on the shores of 
America, you shall set up and establish civill Government, 
and pray for the prosperity thereof, as you love the peace of 
his Churches, who hath called you to this service, he hath for 
that end shipped among you, some learned in the Law of God, 
and practised in rules of good reason or common Lawes proper 
to our English Nation. Be sure you make choyce of the right, 
that all people, Nations and Languages, who are soonly to 
submit to Christs Kjngdome, may be followers of you herein, 
as you follow the Rule of Christ; your Magistrates shall not 
but open * the Gates for all sorts. But know, they are Eyes 
of Restraint set up for \Valles and Bulworks, to surround the 
Sion of God; Oh for Jerusalem her peace, see that you mind it 
altogether, you know right well that the Churches of Christ 
have not tlirived under the tolerating Government of Holland, 
from whence the Lord hath translated one Church already to 
the place whither you are now to goe ; ^ and further it is well 
known, loose liberty cannot indure to looke Majesticall author- 
ity in the face. And also you shall finde erronious persons 
will contend with authority for upholding tmth irrationally, 
denying it any power to condemne deceiveable Doctrines, and 
that upon this very ground, because Tyranny hath inforced 
error heretofore; be not borne downe with a multitude, 
neither let any flatter for preferment, which to prevent, 
honour shall be very chargeable among you; yet let not any 
deny to beare the burden and cumber of governing this people 
of Christ; for assuredly, although their recompence fall short 
from man, it shall not be forgotten with the Lord. Lastly, 

' Misprint for "put open," probably. 

*A note in the margin explains: "The Church of Christ at Plimoth was 
planted in New England 8 Yeares before any others." 



1628] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 33 



Chap. VI. 

How the People of Christ ought to behave themselves in War-like 

Discipline. 

You shall with all diligence provide against the Malignant 
adversaries of the truth, for assure your selves the time is at 
hand wherein Antichrist will muster up all his Forces, and 
make war with the People of God : but it shall be to his utter 
overthrow. See then you store your selves with all sorts of 
weapons for war, furbrish up your Swords, Rapiers, and all 
other piercing weapons. As for great Artillery, seeing present 
meanes falls short, waite on the Lord Christ, and hee wiU stir 
up friends to provide for you : * and in the meane time spare 
not to lay out your coyne for Powder, Bullets, Match, Armes 
of all sorts, and all kinde of Instruments for War: and although 
it may now seeme a thing incredible, you shall see in that 
Wildernesse, whither you are going, Troopes of stout Horse- 
men marshalled, and therefore fayle not to ship lusty Mares 
along with you, and see that with all dilligence you incourage 
every Souldier-like Spirit among you, for the Lord Christ 
intends to atchieve greater matters by this little handfull 
then the World is aware of; wherefore you shall seeke and set 
up men of valour to lead and direct every Souldier among you, 
and with all diligence to instruct them from time to time. 

Feare not the misse of men to fill your Townes, and com- 
pleat your companies; for although at first struglings for 
truths advance there may but a small number appeare of 
sound judgement: yet shall you not prefer any to Office, 
whose zeale is not strong for the truth, for now the minde of 
Christ is to put out the Name of Ammaleck from under Heaven 
(I meane such as have persecuted the Churches and People of 
Christ in their low condition) and assuredly unsound Saules 
will spare such as should not be saved from destruction.^ 

' Another marginal note says: "Doctor Wilson gave lOOOZ. to New England, 
with which they stored them with great Guns." We find the gift acknowledged 
by the General Court in September, 1634, when the fortification of Castle Island 
in Boston harbor was begun on account of alarming news from England. 
' An allusion to I Samuel xv. 



34 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1628 

Then be strong and of a good courage (all you that are to 
fight the Lords Battaile) that your Faith faile not at sight of 
the great Armies of Gog and Magog: and as for you, who shall 
be preferred to highest places in his New England Regiments, 
cause your Captaine and other inferior Officers to be diligent 
in their severall places, that you may lend helpe to your 
Countreymen, that ere long be will see a necessity of contend- 
ing for the truth, as well as your selves in choyce of Military 
Officers; Let faithfulnesse to the cause in hand, courage, 
activity and skill have the prehemency of honours; for al- 
though it may seeme a meane thing to be a New England 
Souldier, yet some of you shall have the battering and beating 
down, scaling, winning and wasting the over-topping Towers 
of the Hierarchy; Lieutenants, Ensigne and Serjeants, ex- 
ceed not your places, till Experience, Skill and true Valour 
promote you to higher honour, to which you shall be daily 
aspiring. As the worthy incouragement of a Souldiers labour, 
let Military discipline be had in high esteeme am.ong you. 
Gentlemen, Corporalls, and fellow-Souldiers, keepe your 
weapons in continuall readinesse, seeing you are called to fight 
the Battails of your Lord Christ; who must raigne till hee 
hath put all his enemies under his Feet, his glorious Victories 
ever Antichrist are at hand, never yet did any Souldier re- 
joy ce in dividing the spoyle after Victory, as all the Souldiers 
cf Christ shall, io see his judgement executed upon the great 
Whore,^ and withall the Lambs bride prepared for him, who 
comes Skipping over and trampling down the great Moun- 
taines of the Earth, whose universall Government will then 
appeare glorious, when not onely the Assyrian, Babilonian, 
Persian, Grecian and Roman Monarchies shall subject them- 
selves unto him, but also all other new upstart Kingdomes, 
Dukedomes, or what else can be named, shall fall before him; 
Not that he shall come personally to Reigne upon Earth (as 
some vainly imagine) but his powerfull Presence and Glorious 
brightnesse of his Gospell both to Jew and Gentile, shall not 
onely spiritually cause the Churches of Christ to grow beyond 
number, but also the whole civill Government of people upon 
Earth shall become his, so that there shall not be any to move 

> An allusion to Revelation xvii., xviii. 



1628] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 35 

the hand, nor dog his tongue against his chosen, And then 
shall the time be of breaking Speares into Mattocks, and 
Swords into Sithes; and this to remaine to his last comming, 
which will be personally to overcome the last enemies of his 
Saints, even death, which hee will doe by the word of his Mouth, 
audibly spoken the World throughout. 

Then all you, who are now, or shall hereafter be shipped 
for this Voyage, minde the worke of Christ, and not some 
following raigne [vain?], titles of honour, others eying the best 
Grasse-platts and best Situation for Farmes and large Accom- 
modations, crouding out Gods people from sitting down 
among you. Wherefore above all beware of covetousnesse; 
all you that will be admitted into these select Bands of Christ 
Jesus, remember Achan,^ whereas Rams Homes could over- 
throw the high and strong walles of Jericho, before his theft 
committed, after it the little number of the men of Ai could 
put the Host of the living God to flight. See then you stand 
upon your watch continually in the strength of Christ, for as- 
suredly instead of casting downe the enemies of Christ, this 
sin will cast down you utterly, disinable you for striking one 
stroke in the cause of Christ; and whereas he hath purposely 
pickt out this People for a patterne of purity and soundnesse 
of Doctrine, as well as Discipline, that all such may finde a 
refuge among you, and let not any Merchants, Inkeepers, 
Taverners and men of Trade in hope of gaine, fling open the 
gates so wide, as that by letting in all sorts you mar the 
worke of Christ intended: neither shall such labourers as hee 
hath pickt out to be pyoneers in this Campe of his, drinke up 
like Spunges such meanes as hee hath sent to maintaine both 
Officers, and private Souldiers. Lastly, let not such as fight, 
set foote on Land ^ to compose Townes for Habitations, take 
up large accommodations for sale, to inrich themselves with 
others goods, who are to follow them, but freely as you have 
received, so give out to others : for so soone as you shall seeke 
to ingrosse the Lords wast into your hands, he will ease you 
of your burden by making stay of any farther resort unto you, 
and then be sure you shall have wast Land enough. 

* See Joshua vii. 

•Apparently a misprint for "such as first set foot on land." 



36 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1628 

To this Commission was added a strong motive to this 
work as followeth: Namely, the great enmity betweene that 
one truth as it is in Jesus, and all other unsound and unde- 
ceiveable Doctrines, together with the persons that hold them; 
insomuch, that they cannot stand in one Common-wealth 
long together, as sixteene hundred yeares experience will 
testifie, the which Moses layes down as one maine reason, 
why he might not admit of a toleration to worship God in 
Egypt.* A^d therefore all you that believe the Scriptures, 
which so plainly prophecy the destruction of Antichrist and 
all Antichristian Doctrines; Pray, pray, pray, pray continually 
with that valiant worthy Joshua that the Sun may stand still 
in Gibeon, and the Moone in the vally of Aijalon, for assuredly 
although some small battailes may be fought against the en- 
emies of Christ, yet the great day of their finall overthrow 
shall not come till the bright Sonne of that one cleare truth 
of Christ, stand still in the Gentile Churches, that those who 
fight the Lords Battells may plainly discerne his enemies in all 
places, where they finde them, as also such as will continue 
fighting must have the World kept low in their eyes, as the 
Moon in the valley of Aijalon. 



Chap. VII. 

0/ the goodnesse of God in helping his People to a large liberty 
in Spirituall things, under the hopes of gaine in Earthly 
things. 

This Proclamation being audibly published through the 
He of Great Brittaine by sundry Herraulds, which Christ had 
prepared for that end : the rumour ran through Cities, Townes 
and Villages; when those that were opposites heard it, some 
cried one thing, and some another, much like the tumult in 
the Townhall at Ephesus,^ some said let them goe, others 
cryed, sweare them first, others said let no Subsidy men passe, 
others would have strict search made for non-conformants, 
and that none of the late silenced Ministers might passe into 

» Exodus viii. 25-27. =" Acts xix. 32-34. 



1629] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 37 

the Ships; ^ Amidst this great hurry the sincere servants of 
Christ humbly seeke the Lords assistance in days of Humilia- 
tion, taking up some serious cogitations, how to begin this 
worthy worke, upon which it was thought meete a patterne ^ 
should be procured, comprised after the manner of a Corpora- 
tion-company or Brotherhood, with as large liberty for govern- 
ment of this Association, as could be got under the Broad 
Scale of England, which accordingly was done by advise of 
one Mr. White an honest Counsellor at Law, as also furthered 
by the honoured Mr. Richard Belinham, and under the name 
of many worthy personages, as Governour, Dep. Gov., Assis- 
tant[s] and Freemen, etc. Granted, Ingrossed and Sealed as 
holding of the manner of East Greenwitch,^ yeelding by way 
of homage the sixth part of all such Ore of Gold or Silver, as 
might for after time be found within the Limits of the said 

1 In 1634 the Commissioners of Plantations had issued orders to the customs 
oflScers at the seaports prohibiting the promiscuous passing of His Majesty's 
subjects to the American plantations. No subsidy men were to pass without a 
license, nor other persons without the attestation of two justices; while the 
statutes already provided that none should go forth without taking the oath of 
allegiance. 

* Patent. Johnson passes over, as an unimportant step in the proceedings, 
the patent granted March 19, 1628, by the Council for New England to six paten- 
tees, for this same territory, and comes directly to the essential document, the 
royal charter of Charles I. to the Massachusetts Company, of March 4, 1629. 
The Mr. White he mentions, John White, was not the eminent Puritan rector of 
Trinity Church, Dorchester, the founder of the Cape Ann settlement, but a 
prominent Puritan lawyer in London and member of Parliament. Bellingham, 
afterward governor of Massachusetts, was at this time recorder (municipal judge) 
of Boston, in Lincolnshire. The great movement of 1629-1630 toward Puritan 
emigration to New England was the result of contributory streams from Dorset- 
shire, London, and Lincolnshire. 

* " Manner " for "manor." For explanation of this phrase, frequent in char- 
ters, see an article by Professor Edward P. Cheyney in the American Historical 
Review, XI. 29-35. For "sixth part of all such Ore" read "fifth part." For 
"one mile" below, read "three miles." This last error might seem a strange one 
for Johnson to commit, for when Massachusetts, maintaining a strict interpreta- 
tion of this phrase despite the northward turn of the upper course of the Merrimac, 
laid claim to all New Hampshire and Maine up to 43° 43' N., Johnson was one 
of her commissioners who in 1652 surveyed and located "the most northerly part" 
of the river, the place where it issues from Lake Winnipiseogee ; an inscription 
they cut there, on "Endicott Rock, " is still legible. Our author must have known 
well in 1652 how the charter read. But he probably wrote his book before that 
year; or the printer may have made the error. 



38 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1629 

Grant bounded on the North, with the most Northerly part of 
the pleasant River of Merimech, one mile beyond, and on the 
South with the most Southern part of that oft frequented 
River commonly called Charles, one mile beyond, with power 
to rule and govern in all those parts both by Sea and Land; 
To elect and set up all sorts of Officers, as well Superior as In- 
ferior; to point out their power and places, to defend and 
maintaine the said Land, and Inhabitants thereof with all 
their lawfull liberties (against all such as at any time should 
Invade, Molest or Disturbe the same) as well by offensive as 
defensive War, as also to constitute and ordaine Lawes, etc. 
Thus these Souldiers of Jesus Christ prepared to advance his 
Kingly Government, much like Samuel, when he went to an- 
noynt David, took up another errant, withall that the Malig- 
nant spirit of Saul might not hinder the worke, so those 
Worthies of Christ joyning themselves with Merchants and 
others, who had an eye at a profitable Plantation, who had not 
herein been deceived would they have stayed their time, but 
surely such mist not their marke, whose ayme was at the dur- 
able interest, unlesse the fault were their owne, neither let any 
man thinke Christ will not recompense those one way or 
other, who have been any way helpfull to his people in this 
his work ; amongst whom the Author will not misse that good 
Gentleman, Matthew Craddock.* By the way of thankfull- 
nesse to him, Mr. Goff and others this Verse is tendred: 

For richest Jems and gainfull things most Merchants wisely venter: 
Deride not then New England men, this Corporation enter; 

Christ calls for Trade shall never fade, come Craddock factors send: 
Let Mayhew go and other more, spare not thy coyne to spend; 

Such Trades advance did never chance, in all thy Trading yet: 
Though some deride thy losse, abide, her[e]'s gaine beyond mans wit. 

* Matthew Cradock, a rich London merchant, had in the charter of the Massa- 
chusetts Company been appointed by King ChaHes governor (in modem American 
parlance, president) of the company. It was he who, in July, 1629, proposed 
the transfer of charter and officers to America, and, by vacating the chair in Octo- 
ber, made way for the election of Winthrop as governor. Thomas Goffe, another 
London merchant, who had been one of the adventurers in the New Plymouth 
enterprise, was named deputy-governor in the charter. These seem never to 
have come over to New England. Thomas Mayhew, proprietor of Martha's 
Vineyard, then its governor, Indian missionary, and patriarch, came over in 1634. 



1618J OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 39 

Chap. VIII. 

Of the wonderfull Preparation the Lord Christ hy his Provi- 
dence, wrought for his peoples abode in this Western world. 

Now let all men know the admirable Acts of Christ for his 
Churches and chosen, are universally over the whole Earth 
at one and the same time, but sorry man cannot so discourse 
of them; And therefore let us leave our English Nation in 
way of preparation for this Voyage intended, and tell of the 
marvelous doings of Christ preparing for his peoples arrival! 
in the Western World, whereas the Indians report they be- 
held to their great wonderment that perspicuous bright blazing 
Comet (which was so famously noted in Europe) ; ^ anon after 
Sun set it appeared as they say in the South-west, about three 
houres, continuing in their Horizon for the space of thirty 
sleepes (for so they reckon their dayes) after which uncouth 
sight they expected some strange things to follow, and the 
rather, because not long before the whole Nation of the Matta- 
chusets were so affrighted with a Ship that arrived in their 
Bay, having never seene any before,^ thus they report some 
persons among them discerning a great thing to move toward 
them upon the Waters, wondering what Creature it should 
be, they run with their light cannowes, (which are a kinde of 
Boates made of Birch Rindes, and sowed together with the 
rootes of white Cedar-Trees) from place to place, stiring up 
all their Countreymen to come forth, and behold this mon- 
strous thing; at this sudden news the shores for many miles 
were filled with this naked Nation, gazing at this wonder, till 
some of the stoutest among them manned out these Cannowes. 
Being armed with Bow and Arrowes, they approached within 
shot of the Ship, being becalmed, they let fly their long shafts 
at her, which being headed with bone some stuck fast, and 
others dropped into the water, they wondering it did not cry, 
but kept quietly on toward them, till all of a sudden the 
Master caused a piece of Ordnance to be fired, which stroke 

' The celebrated comet of November, 1618, visible in daylight, and observed 
by Kepler and Gassendi. 

' Captain John Smith seems to have sailed into Massachusetts Bay in 1614, 
and his ship may be the one here referred to. 



40 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1617 

such feare into the poore Indians, that they hasted to shore, 
having their wonders exceedingly increased; but being gotten 
among their great multitude, they waited to see the sequell 
with much amazement, till the Seamen firling up their sailes 
came to an Anchor, manned out their long bote, and went on 
shore, at whose approach, the Indians fled, although now they 
saw they were men, who made signes to stay their flight, that 
they may have Trade with them, and to that end they brought 
certaine Copper-Kettles; the Indians by degrees made their 
approach nearer and nearer till they came to them, when be- 
holding their Vessells, which they had set forth before them, 
the Indian knocking them were much delighted with the 
sound, and much more astonished to see they would not breake, 
being so thin, for attaining those Vessells they brought them 
much Bever, fraughting them richly away according to their 
desires. This was the first working providence of Christ to 
stir up our English Nation, to plant these parts in hope of a 
rich Trade for Bever-skins, and this made some of our Country- 
men make their abode in these parts, whom this Army of 
Christ at their comming over found as fit helps to further 
their designe in planting the Churches of Christ; Who by a 
more admirable act of his Providence not long after prepared 
for his peoples arrivall as followeth. 

The Summer after the blazing Starre (whose motion in the 
Heavens was from East to West, poynting out to the sons of 
men the progresse of the glorious Gospell of Christ, the glorious 
King of his Churches) even about the yeare 1618. a little be- 
fore the removeall of that Church of Christ from Holland to 
Plimoth in New England, as the ancient Indians report, there 
befell a great mortality among them, the greatest that ever the 
memory of Father to Sonne tooke notice of, chiefly desolating 
those places, where the English afterward planted.^ The 
Country of Pockanoky, Agissawamg, it ^ was almost wholly 

> The pestilence of 1616-1617 {not 1619) is best described in the first chapter of 
Mr. Charles Francis Adams's Three Episodes of Massachnsclis History. Its 
character cannot now be determined. Its chief severity fell on the Massachusetts, 
whom it perhaps reduced from three thousand fighting men to fifty. Thus the 
English settlement of the Bay had little to fear from savage foes. 

* It is evident that the printer has made some mistake here, but what the 
reading should be is uncertain. The country of Pokanoket is that lying westward 



1617] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 41 

deserted, insomuch that the Neighbour Indians did abandon 
those places for feare of death, fleeing more West and by 
South, observing the East and by Northern parts were most 
smitten with this contagion. The Abarginny-men consisting 
of Mattachusets, Wippanaps and Tarratines ^ were greatly 
weakened, and more especially the three Kingdomes or Sag- 
gamore ships of the Mattachusets, who were before this mor- 
tality most populous, having under them seven Dukedomes 
or petty Saggamores, and the Nianticks and Narrowganssits, 
who before this came were but of little note, yet were they now 
not much increased by such as fled thither for feare of death. 
The Pecods (who retained the Name of a war-like people, till 
afterwards conquered by the English) were also smitten at 
this time. Their Disease being a sore Consumption, sweeping 
away whole Families, but chiefly yong Men and Children, the 
very seeds of increase. Their Powwowes, which are their 
Doctors, working partly by Charmes, and partly by Medicine, 
were much amazed to see their Wigwams lie full of dead 
Corpes, and that now neither Squantam nor Abbamocho ^ 
could helpe, which are their good and bad God and also their 
Powwows themselves were oft smitten with deaths stroke. 
Howling and much lamentation was heard among the living, 
who being possest with great feare, oftimes left their dead 
unburied, their manner being such, that they remove their 
habitations at death of any. This great mortality being an 
unwonted thing, feare[d] them the more, because naturally 
the Country is very healthy. But by this meanes Christ 
(whose great and glorious workes the Earth throughout are 
altogether for the benefit of his Churches and chosen) not 
onely made roome for his people to plant ; but also tamed the 
hard and cruell hearts of these barbarous Indians, insomuch 

from Plymouth, the region ruled over by Massasoit and Philip. Agissawam may 
be the place listed by William Wood (New Englands Prospect, 1634, ad fin.) under 
the name Igoshaum, since he calls Agawam Igowam. Unfortunately he does not 
give Igoshaum on his map; in the list it stands between "Igowam" (Ipswich) 
and "Chobocco" (Essex). 

' "Aberginian" is used by Wood, and apparently by Johnson, to denote the 
Indians from the Massachusetts north-eastward, the Tarratines being seated in 
eastern Maine. The Niantics and Narragansetts were situated in Rhode Island, 
the Pequots in south-eastern Connecticut. 

* Or Hobomok. A powwow was a medicine-man. 



42 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1620 

that halfc a handfull of his people landing not long after in 
Plimoth-Plantation, found little resistance, of whom the 
Author purposes not to speake particularly, being prevented 
by the honoured Mr. Winslow, who was an eye-witnesse of the 
worke: ' onely thus much by the way, they were sent to keepe 
possession for their Brethren and fellow Souldiers, who arrived 
eight yeares after them, as in processe of this story will God- 
willing appeare: and verily herein they quit themselves like 
men, or rather Christ for and by them, maintaining the place 
notwithstanding the multitude of difficulties they met withall 
at their first landing, being in doubtfuU suspence what inter- 
tainment these Barbarians would give them, having with 
prayer supplicated the Lord in the Name of Christ their King 
and guide in this their undertaking, they manned out a Boate 
to discover what store of the Inhabitants were there. Now 
these men, whose courage exceeded the number, being guided 
by the provident hand of the most high, landed in some sev- 
erall places ; and by making fires gave signes of their approach. 
Now the Indians, whose dwellings are most neer the water-side, 
appeared with their Bowes bent and Arrowes one [on] the 
string, let fly their long shafts among this little company,* 
whom they might soon have inclosed, but the Lord otherwise 
disposed of it, for one Captaine Miles Standish having his 
fowling-peece in a reddinesse, presented full at them, his shot 
being directed by the provident Hand of the most high God, 
strook the stoutest Sachem among them one [on] the right 
Arme, it being bent over his shoulder to reach an Arrow forth 
his Quiver, as their manner is to draw them forth in fight. 
At this stroke they all fled with great swiftnesse through the 
Woods and Thickets, then the English, who more thirsted 
after their conversion than destruction, returned to their 
Bote without receiving any damage, and soon after arrived 
where they left their Brethren, to whom they declared the 
good hand of God toward them, with thankfuU acknowledge- 
ment of this great worke of his in preserving them; Yet 
did they all remaine full of incumbred thoughts, the Indians, 

' The allusion is to Edward Winslow's Good Nno.t from New England 
(London, 1624). "Prevented" in the sense of "anticipated." 

*See Bradford, History of Plymouth Plantation, pp. 101, 102, of the edition 
in this series. 



1621] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 43 

of whose multitudes they had now some intelHgence, together 
with experience of spirits, and also knew well without com- 
merce with them they were not like long to subsist. 

But hee, whose worke they went about, wrought so rare a 
Providence for them, which cannot but be admired of all 
that heare it. Thus it fell as they were discoursing in the 
Bote they had built for shelter, all of a sudden, an Indian 
came in among them, at whose speech they were all agast, he 
speaking in the English Language, Much welcome English- 
men, their wonder was the greater, because upon those Costes 
they supposed no English had so much as set foote, and verily 
Christ had prepared him on purpose to give his people inter- 
tainment, the Indian having lived in England two year or 
thereabout, after which he returned home, and at this time 
had wandred into those parts in company of other Indians/ 
All this, and the condition of the neere adjoyning Indians, 
hee soon discovered unto them, at which they were trans- 
ported beyond themselves very much, what with joy and the 
mixture of their former feare and affection intervening with 
the other, surprised all their senses of a sudden, that long it 
was ere each party could take its proper place, yea, and be- 
yond all this Christ Jesus, by the power of his blessed Spirit, 
did now work upon all their faculties both of Soule and Body, 
[that] the great impression of his present Providence might 
not soon be washed off with the following incumbred cares 
of a Desart Wildernesse; but to contract, they made use of 
the present opportunity, and by the instrumentall meanes of 
this Indian, became acquainted and reconciled with most of 
the Neighbouring Indians. And afterward planted a Church 
of Christ there, and set up civill Government, calling the 
Name of the place Plimoth: under this jurisdiction there are 
ten Churches at this very day,^ this being the first place any 
English resorted unto for the advancement of the Kingly 
Government of Christ in this Westerne World. 

* Johnson fuses into one the stories of Samoset and Squanto. Bradford, 
pp. 110-112. 

' Plymouth, Scituate, Duxbury, Barnstable, Marshfield, Yarmouth, Sand- 
wich, Taunton, Eastham, and Rehoboth. 



44 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1028 



Chap. IX. 

Of the first preparation of the Marchant Adventurers, in the 

Mattachusets. 

Now it will be time to returne againe to England, to speake 
further of the people that wee left in way of preparation; 
who in the yeare 1628. sent forth some store of servants to 
provide against the wants of a Desart Wildernesse, amongst 
whom came over a mixt multitude, insomuch that very little 
appeared of the following worke, onely the much honoured 
Mr. John Indicat came over with them to governe, a fit in- 
strument to begin this Wildernesse-worke, of courage bold 
undanted, yet sociable, and of a chearfull spirit, loving and 
austere, applying himselfe to either as occasion served. And 
now let no man be offended at the Authors rude Verse, penned 
of purpose to keepe in memory the Names of such worthies 
as Christ made strong for himselfe, in this unwonted worke 
of his. 

John Endicat twice Governour of the English, inhabiting the Matta- 
chusets Bay in N. England} 

Strong valiant John, wilt thou march on, and take up station first; 
Christ cal'd hath thee, his Souldier be, and faile not of thy trust; 
Wilderness wants Christ's grace supplants, then plant his Churches 
pure. 
With Tongues gifted, and graces led, help thou to his procure; 
Undanted thou wilt not allow Malignant ^ men to wast 

Christs Vineyard heere, whose grace should cheer his well-beloved's 
tast. 

* John Endicott, one of the six patentees of 1628, was sent out in that year 
as local manager, and governed the colony at Naumkeag till Winthrop's arrival 
in 1G30. He was five times (five years) deputy-governor of Massachusetts Bay, 
and governor fifteen times, 1644-1645, 1649-1650 (the two terms alluded to by 
our author above), 1651-1654, 1655-1665. The word "General" in the verses 
below refers to his election as sergeant-major general, the highest military office 
in the colony, to which he was chosen in 1645. He was a narrow, rigid, and choleric 
Puritan, but sturdy, upright, and useful. 

* "Malignant" was among Puritan writers a favorite term by which to desig- 
nate royalists and other opponents. The allusion in the next line is to Canticles 
vii. 12, then commonly interpreted as relating to Christ and the Church. 



1629] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 45 

Then honoured be, thy Christ hath thee their Generall promoted: 
To shew their love, in place above, his people have thee voted. 

Yet must thou fall to grave with all the Nobles of the Earth, 

Thou rotting worme, to dust must turn, and worse but for new birth. 

The place picked out by this People to settle themselves 
in, was in the bosome of the out-stretched arme of Cape 
Anne, now called Gloster, but at the place of their abode 
they began to build a Town, which is called Salem. After 
some little space of time, having made tryall of the Sordid 
spirits of the Neighbouring Indians, the most bold among 
them began to gather to divers places, which they began to 
take up for their owne. Those that were sent over servants, 
having itching desires after novelties, found a reddier way to 
make an end of their Masters provision, then they could finde 
meanes to get more; They that came over their own men 
had but little left to feed on, and most began to repent when 
their strong Beere and full cups ran as small as water in a 
large Land, but little Corne, and the poore Indians so far 
from relieving them, that they were forced to lengthen out 
their owne food with Acorns, and that which added to their 
present distracted thoughts, the Ditch betweene England 
and their now place of abode was so wide, that they could 
not leap over with a lope-staffe,^ yet some delighting their 
Eye with the rarity of things present, and feeding their fan- 
cies with new discoveries at the Springs approach, they made 
shift to rub out the Winters cold by the Fire-side, having 
fuell enough growing at their very doores, turning down 
many a drop of the Bottell, and burning Tobacco with all the 
ease they could, discoursing betweene one while and another, 
of the great progresse they would make after the Summers- 
Sun had changed the Earths white furr'd Gowne into a greene 
Mantell. Now the vernall of thirty nine [twenty-nine] being 
come, they addrest themselves to coste it as far as they durst 
for feare of loosing themselves, or falling into the hands of 
unknown Indians, being kept in awe by a report of a cruell 
people, not far of[f,] called the Tarratines.^ All this while 

* Leaping-pole. It is possible that Johnson is hardly just to Endicott's 
men. We know from Bradford that they had much illness during the winter of 
162S-1629. 

' Of the region east of the Penobscot. 



46 WONDERWORKING PROVIDENCE [1629 

little like-lihood there was building the Temple for Gods 
worship, there being only two that began to hew stones in 
the Mountaines, the one named Mr. Bright, and the other 
Mr. Blaxton,^ and one of them began to build, but when they 
saw all sorts of stones would not fit in the building, as they 
supposed, the one betooke him to the Seas againe, and the 
other to till the Land, retaining no simbole of his former 
profession, but a Canonicall Coate. 

Chap. X. 

Of the first Church of Christ, gathered at Salem in the Matta- 
chusets Government. 

This yeare 1629. came over three godly Ministers of Christ 
Jesus, intending to shew his power in his peoples lowest 
condition as his manner is, thereby to strengthen their Faith 
in following difficulties, and now although the number of the 
faithfull people of Christ were but few, yet their longing 
desires to gather into a Church was very great; * And there- 
fore addressed themselves to finde out the blessed Rules of 
Christ for preserving herein, who through the assistance of 
his Blessed Spirit, found that the Word of God, penned by 

* Rev. Francis Bright, an Oxford man, "trained upp under Mr. Davenport," 
came out to Salem in 1G29 as a minister engaged by the Company, along with 
Higginson and Skelton, but went back to England in 1630. Rev. William Blax- 
ton or Blackstone, B. A. in 1617 of Emmanuel College, Cambridge (and there- 
fore presumably a Puritan), M. A. in 1621, had come out to Massachusetts Bay 
in 1623 with Robert Gorges, and settled about 1625 on the peninsula now occu- 
pied by Boston, its first, and for five years its sole, inhabitant. A bookish recluse, 
occupied with his garden and orchard, he yet welcomed and even invited Win- 
throp and his company to his peninsula. But he liked, he said, to be under the 
"lord-brethren" as little as to be under the "lord-bishops," and in 1634 he re- 
tired to a place he called Study Hill, in what is now Rhode Island, where he 
lived quietly till 1675. 

'The founding of the Salem church is a chief point of departure in the 
ecclesiastical history of New England. It established Congregationalism as the 
polity of Massachusetts Bay, the essential features being (1) the local church, 
(2) composed of converted believers, (3) united by a covenant, (4) choosing and 
(5) itself ordaining its ministers, namely, (G) pastor, teacher, and ruling elder. 
The fullest description of the event is in Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantar 
Hon, pp. 260-262. 



1629] OF SIGNS SAVIOUK IN NEW ENGLAND 47 

the Apostles in many Epistles, written to particular Churches, 
consisting of such as are beloved Saints, by calling appearing 
so in the judgement of Charity, being tryed by the rule of the 
word, not scandalous in their Lives, for the society of such 
they sought, and in these beginnings found very few, seven 
being the lest [least] number a Church can be gathered, or 
conceived by just consequence from the Word of God. Hav- 
ing fasted and prayed with humble acknowledgement of their 
own unworthinesse to be called of Christ to so worthy a worke, 
they joyned together in a holy Covenant with the Lord, and 
one with another, promising by the Lords Assistance to walke 
together in Exhorting, Admonishing, and Rebuking one 
another, and to cleave to the Lord with a full purpose of 
heart, according to the blessed Rules of his Word made known 
unto them, and further they seeing by light of Scripture the 
Lord Christ ascended up on high to give gifts unto men, not 
onely extraordinary as Apostles, etc. before the Canon of the 
Scripture was perfected, but also ordinary as Pastors and 
Teachers, and that such are to be fitted with gifts according, 
for so mighty a worke, as is the Feeding and Ruling the 
Flock of Christ, Wherefore they Elected * and Ordained one 
Mr. Higginson to be Teacher of this first Church of Christ, 
set up in those parts, a man indued with grace, apt to teach, 
and mighty in the Scriptures, Learned in the Tongues, 
able to convince gain-sayers, aptly applying the word to 
his hearers, who departed this life not long after, of whom 
it may be said. 

The Reverend Mr. Higgingson, first Pastor of the Church of Christ 
at Salem in New England. 

What Golden gaine made Higginson remove, 
From fertill Soyle to Wildernesse of Rocks; 

'Twas Christs rich Pearle stir'd up thee toile to love, 
For him to feed in Wildernesse his flocks. 

* July 20, 1629. The elections were conducted by written ballot, the first 
known instance of its use in America. Rev. Francis Higginson, M.A. of Cam- 
bridge 1613, had been sent out this spring by the Company. His interesting 
description of the country, New England's Plantation, was printed in London in 
1630. Just a year after the date of his ordination, namely, on August 6, 1630, 
he died. 



48 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1629 

First Teacher, he here, Sheepe and Lambs together, 
First crovvnd shall be hee in the Heavens of all 

Christs Pastors here, but yet Christ['s] folke had rather 
Him here retaine; blest he whom Christ hath call'd. 

They also called to the Office of an Exhorting Elder ' 
Mr. Scelton, a man of a gratious Speech, full of Faith and 
furnished by the Lord with gifts from above, to begin this 
great worke of his, that makes the whole Earth to ring againe 
at this present day. 

The Reverend Mr. Scelton, first Pastor of the Church of Christ, at 
Salem in New England, 1630. 

Scelton for Christ did leave his Native soile, 

Christ['s] Grace first wrought for him, or he had never 
A Pastor been in Wildernesse to toile. 

Where Christ his Flock doth into Churches gather; 
For five yeares space to end thy war-faire thou 

Must meete with wantes, what wants can be to him 
Whose Shepheard's Christ? Earths fullnesse hath for you, 

And Heavens rich Crowne for thee, with's conquest win. 

This Church of Christ, being thus begun, the Lord with the 
Water-spouts of his tender Mercy caused to increase and 
fructify. And now let every Eare Hsten, and every heart 
admire, and inlarge it selfe to the astonishment of the whole 
man at this wonderous worke of the great Jehovah, that in 
thrice seven yeares ^ (after the beginning of this Worke) 
wrought such fearfull Desolations, and wonderfull Alter- 
ations among our English Nation, and also in this dis- 
mall Desart, wasting the naturall Inhabitant with deaths 
stroke, and that as is former touched, the Mattachusets, 
who were a populous Nation, consisting of 30000 able 
men, now brought to lesse then 300. and in their roome 
and place of abode this poore Church of Christ consisting 
at their beginning, but of seven persons, increased to forty 

' Or pastor. Samuel Skelton was also a Cambridge M.A. He died in 
1634, hence the "five yeares space" in the verses below. In their caption read 
1629 for 1030. 

» Reckoning from 1629 to 1650. 



1629] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 49 

three ^ Churches in joynt Communion one with the other, 
professing One God, One Christ, and one Gospell, and in 
those Churches about 7750. Soules in one profession of the 
Rules of Christ, and that which makes the worke more admir- 
able in the Eyes of all beholders, mens habitations are cut out 
of the Woods and Bushes, neither can this place be entered 
by our English Nation, but by passing through a dreadfull 
and terrible Ocean of nine hundred Leagues in length. 

Chap. XI. 

Of the Glorious beginnings of a thorough Reformation in the 

Churches of Christ. 

Further know these are but the beginnings of Christs 
glorious Reformation, and Restauration of his Churches to a 
more glorious splendor than ever. Hee hath therefore caused 
their [the] dazeling brightnesse of his presence to be contracted 
in the burning-Glasse of these his peoples zeale, from whence 
it begins to be left upon many parts of the World with such 
hot reflection of that burning light, which hath fired many 
places already, the which shall never be quenched till it hath 
burnt up Babilon Root and Branch. And now let the Reader 
looke one the 102. Psalme, the Prophet Isaia 66. Chapter; 
take this Sharpe Sword of Christs Word, and all other Scrip- 
tures of like nature, and follow on yee valiant of the Lord; 
And behold the worthies of Christ, as they are boldly leading 
forth his Troopes into these Westerne Fields, marke them 
well Man by Man as they march, terrible as an Army with 
Banners, croud in all yee that long to see this glorious sight; 
see, ther's their glorious King Christ one [on] that white 
Horse, whose hoofes like flint cast not only sparkes, but 
flames of fire in his pathes. Behold his Crown beset with 
Carbunkles, wherein the names of his whole Army are 
written. Can there be ever night in his Presence, whose eyes 
are ten thousand times higher [brighter] than the Sun ? Be- 

* Just how the number forty-three is reached is uncertain. Johnson counts 
ten in Plymouth Colony, p. 43, supra; he mentions the church of Martha's 
Vineyard, p. 264, post, and his chapter-headings plainly count thirty in Massa- 
chusetts proper; but these would make but forty-one. 



50 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1630 

hold his swiftnes, all you that have said, where is the promise 
of his comming? Listen a while, hear what his herauld pro- 
claimes, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, both her Doctrine and 
Lordly rabble of Popes, Cardinalls, Lordly-Bishops, Friers, 
Monks, Nuns, Seminary-Priests, Jesuits, Ermites, Pilgrims, 
Deans, Prebends, Arch-Deacons, Commissaries, Officialls, 
Proctors, Somners, Singing-men, Choristers, Organist, Bel- 
lows-blowers, Vergers, Porters, Sextons, Beads-men, and 
Bel-ringers and all others who never had name in the Word 
of God; ^ together with all her false Doctrines, although they 
may seeme otherwise never so contradictory, as Arians, who 
deny the God-head of Christ, and Gortenists who deny the 
Humanity of Christ: Papists, who thinke to merit Heaven 
by the Workes of the Law, Antinomians, who deny the 
Law of God altogether as a rule to walke by in the 
obedience of Faith, and deny good works to be the Fruit 
of Faith, Arminians, who attribute Gods Election or Rep- 
robation to the will of Man, and Familists, who forsake 
the revealed Will of God, and make men depend upon 
strong Revelations, for the knowledge of Gods Electing 
Love towards them, Conformitants or Formalists, who bring 
in a forme of worship of their owne, and joyne it with 
the worship God hath appointed in his Word, Seekers, 
that deny all manner of worship or Ordinances of Christ 
Jesus, affirming them to be quite lost, and not to be 
attained till new Aoostles come. 



Chap. XII. 

Of the voluntary banishment, chosen by this People of Christ, 
and their last farewell taken of their Country and Friends. 

And now behold the severall Regiments of these Souldiers 
of Christ, as they are shipped for his service in the Westerne 
World, Part thereof being come to the Towne and Port of 
Southamptan in England, where they were to be shipped, 
that they might prosecute this designe to the full, one Ship 

' It will be remembered that Johnson was a Canterbury man, familiar with 
cathedral usages and archiepiscopal courts. 



1630] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 51 

called the Eagle, ^ they wholy purchase, and many more they 
hire, filling them with the seede of man and beast to sow this 
yet untilled Wildernesse withall, making sale of such Land 
as they possesse, to the great admiration of their Friends and 
Acquaintance, who thus expostulate with them, ''What, will 
not the large income of your yearly revenue content you, 
which in all reason cannot chuse but be more advantagious 
both to you and yours, then all that Rocky Wildernesse, 
whither j^ou are going, to run the hazard of your life? Have 
you not here your Tables filled with great variety of Foode, 
your Coffers filled with Coyne, your Houses beautifully built 
and filled with all rich Furniture? (or otherwise) have you not 
such a gainfull Trade as none the like in the Towne where you 
live? Are you not inriched daily? Are not your Children 
very well provided for as they come to years? (nay) may you 
not here as pithily practise the two chiefe Duties of a Christian 
(if Christ give strength), namely Mortification and Sanctifica- 
tion, as in any place of the World? What helps can you have 
there that you must not carry from hence?" With bold 
resolvednesse these stout Souldiers of Christ reply; as Death, 
the King of terror, with all his dreadfull attendance, inhumane 
and barbarous tortures, doubled and trebled by all the in- 
fernal furies, have appeared but light and momentany to the 
Souldiers of Christ Jesus, so also the Pleasure, Profits and 
Honours of this World set forth in their most glorious splen- 
dor and magnitude by the alluring Lady of Delight, proffer- 
ing pleasant embraces, cannot intice with her Syren Songs, 
such Souldiers of Christ, whose aymes are elevated by him, 
many Millions above that brave Warrier Ulysses. 

Now seeing all can be said will but barely set forth the im- 
moveable Resolutions that Christ continued in these men; 
Passe on and attend with teares, if thou hast any, the follow- 
ing discourse, while these Men, Women and Children are taking 
their last farwell of their Native Country, Kindred, Friends 
and Acquaintance, while the Ships attend them; Many make 
choise of some solitary place to eccho out their bowell-breaking 
affections in bidding their Friends farwell. ''Deare friends" 

' Winthrop's "admiral" or flag-ship, a ship of three hundred and fifty tons. 
The name was changed to Arbella; see p. 56, post. Johnson probably was a 
passenger in this ship. 



52 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1630 

(sayes one) "as neare as myowne soule doth thy love lodge in 
my brest, with thought of the heart-burning Ravishments, 
that thy Heavenly speeches have wrought: my melting soule 
is poured out at present with these words." Both of them 
had their farther spcach strangled from the depth of their 
inward dolor, with breast-breaking sobs, till leaning their 
heads each on others shoulders, they let fall the salt-dropping 
dews of vehement affection, striving to exceede one another, 
much like the departure of David and Jonathan: having a 
little eased their hearts with the still streames of Teares, they 
recovered speech againe. "Ah! my much honoured friend, 
hath Christ given thee so great a charge as to be Leader of 
his People into that far remote, and vast Wildernesse, I [ay], 
oh, and alas, thou must die there and never shall I see thy 
Face in the flesh againe. Wert thou called to so great a 
taske as to passe the pretious Ocean, and hazard thy person in 
Battell against thousands of Malignant Enemies there, there 
were hopes of thy return with triumph; but now after two, 
three, or foure moneths spent with daily expectation of 
swallowing Waves and cruell Pirates, you are to be Landed 
among barbarous Indians, famous for nothing but cruelty, 
where you are like to spend your days in a famishing condition 
for a long space." Scarce had he uttered this, but presently 
hee lockes his friend fast in his armes; holding each other 
thus for some space of time, they weepe againe. But as Paul 
to his beloved flock, the other replies, "What doe you weep- 
ing and breaking my heart? ^ I am now prest for the service 
of our Lord Christ, to re-build the most glorious Edifice 
of Mount Sion in a Wildernesse, and as John Baptist, I must 
cry. Prepare yee the way of the Lord, make his paths strait, 
for behold hee is comming againe, hee is comming to destroy 
Antichrist, and give the whore double to drinke the very 
dregs of his wrath. Then my deare friend unfold thy hands, 
for thou and I have much worke to doe, I [ay] and all Chris- 
tian Souldiers the World throughout." 

Then hand in hand they leade each other to the Sandy- 
banks of the brinish Ocean, when clenching their hands fast, 
they unloose not til inforced to wipe their watery-eyes, whose 

'Acts xxi. 13. Johnson quotes sometimes from the Geneva Bible, some- 
times, apparently, from the Authorized Version; here from the former. 



1630] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 53 

constant streames forced a watery-path upon their Cheekes, 
which to hide from the eyes of others they shun society for a 
time, but being called by occasion, whose bauld back-part 
none can lay hold one [on] ; They thrust in among the throng 
now ready to take Ship, where they beheld the like affections 
with their own among divers Relations. Husbands and 
Wives with mutuall consent are now purposed to part for a 
time 900 Leagues asunder, since some providence at present 
will not suffer them to goe together; they resolve their tender 
affections shall not hinder this worke of Christ. The new 
Married and betrothed man, exempt by the Law of God from 
war, now will not claime their priviledge, but being con- 
strained by the Love of Christ, lock up their naturall affections 
for a time, till the Lord shall be pleased to give them a meet- 
ing in this Westerne World, sweetly mixing it with spirituall 
love in the meane time. Many Fathers now take their yong 
Samuells, and give them to this service of Christ all their 
Lives. Brethren, Sisters, Unkles, Nephewes, Neeces, to- 
gether with all Kindred of bloud that binds the bowells of 
affection in a true Lovers knot, can now take their last fare- 
well, each of other, although naturall affection will still claime 
her right, and manifest her selfe to bee in the body by looking 
out at the Windowes in a mournefull manner. Among this 
company, thus disposed, doth many Reverend and godly 
Pastors of Christ present themselves, some in a Seamans 
Habit, and their scattered sheepe comming as a poore Con- 
voy loftily take their leave of them as followeth, ^'What dole- 
full dayes are these, when the best choice our Orthodox 
Ministers can make is to take up a perpetuall banishment 
from their native soile, together with their Wives and Chil- 
dren; wee their poore sheepe they may not feede, but by 
stoledred ^ should they abide here. Lord Christ, here they 
are at thy command, they go; this is the doore thou hast 
opened upon our earnest request, and we hope it shall never 
be shut: for Englands sake they are going from England to 
pray without ceasing for England. England! thou shalt 
finde New England prayers prevailing with their God for thee, 
but now woe alas, what great hardship must these our in- 

» Stealth. 



54 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1630 

deared Pastors indure for a long season." With these words 
they hft up their voyces and wept, adding many drops of 
salt liquor to the ebbing Ocean; Then shaking hands they 
bid adue with much cordiall affection to all their Brethren, 
and Sisters in Christ, yet now the Scorne and Derision of 
those times, and for this their great enterprise counted as 
so many crackt-braines; but Christ will make all the earth 
know the wisdome he hath indued them with, shall over- 
top all the humane policy in the World, as the sequel! 
wee hope will shew; Thus much shall suffice in generall 
to speak of their peoples farewell they tooke from time 
to time of their Country and Friends. 

Chap. XIII. 

Of the charges expended hy this poore People, to injoy Christ in 
his purity of his Ordinances. 

And now they enter the Ships, should they have cast up 
what it would have cost to people New England before hand, 
the most strongest of Faith among them would certainly 
have staggered much, and very hardly have set saile. But 
behold and wonder at the admirable Acts of Christ, here it is 
cast up to thy hand, the passage of the persons that peopled 
New England cost ninety five thousand pounds; ^ the Swine, 
Goates, Sheepe, Neate and Horse, cost to transport twelve 
thousand pound besides the price they cost; getting food for 
all persons for the time till they could bring the Woods to 
tillage amounted unto forty five thousand pounds; Nayles, 
Glasse and other Iron-worke for their meeting-houses, and 
other dwelling houses, before they could raise any meanes in 
the Country to purchase them, Eighteene thousand pounds; 
Armes, Powder. Bullet and Match, together with their great 
Artillery, twenty two thousand pounds: the whole sum 
amounts unto one hundred ninety two thousand pound, 

' At four and a half pounds sterling per passenger, which is a fair estimate 
of ocean passage-money at this time, this corresponds with the estimate, given at 
the end of the next chapter, of the total immigration into New England down to 
the outbreak of the Civil War in England in 1642. After that date emigration 
from England nearly ceased. 



1630] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 55 

beside that which the Adventurers laid out in England, 
which was a small pittance compared with this, and indeed 
most of those that cast into this Banke were the chiefe Ad- 
venturers. Neither let any man thinke the sum above ex- 
pressed did defray the whole charge of this Army, which 
amounts to above as much more, onely this sum hes still in 
banke, and the other they have had the income againe; This 
therefore is chiefly presented to satisfie such as thinke New 
England men have beene bad husbands in mannaging their 
Estates. Assuredly here it lies in banke, put out to the 
greatest advantage that ever any hath beene for many hun- 
dred of yeares before, and verily although in casting it up 
some hundreds may be miscounted (for the Author would 
not willingly exceede in any respect) but to be sure Christ 
stands by and beholds every mite that (in the obedience of 
Faith) is cast into this Treasury: but what doe wee answer- 
ing men? the money is all Christs, and certainly hee will take 
it well that his have so disposed of it to his advantage; by 
this meanes hee hath had a great income in England of late, 
Prayers, Teares and Praise, and some Reformation; Scot- 
land and Ireland have met with much of the profit of this 
Banke, Virginia, Bermodas and Barbados have had a taste, ^ 
and France may suddenly meete with the like. Therefore 
repent you not, you that have cast in your Coyne, but tremble 
all you that with a penurious hand have not onely cast in 
such as are taking out, to hord it up in your Napkins, remem- 
ber Ananias and Saphirah, how darest thou doe it in these 
dayes, when the Lord hath need of it? Gentle Reader make 
use of this memorable Providence of Christ for his New Eng- 
land Churches, where had this poore people this great sum 
of money? the mighty Princes of the Earth never opened 
their Coffers for them, and the generality of these men were 
meane and poore in the things of this life, but sure it is the 
work is done, let God have the glory, who hath now given them 
food to the full, and some to spare for other Churches. 

* See bk. iii., ch. xi., post. 



56 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1630 



Chap. XIV. 

Of the wonderfull preservation of Christ, in carrying his People 
Men, Women, Children, through the largest Ocean in the 
World. 

And now you have had a short survay of the charges of 
their New England Vayages, see their progresse. Being 
safe aboard, weighing Anker and hoysting saile they betooke 
them to the protection of the Lord on the wide Ocean. No 
sooner were they dispersed by reason of the widenesse of 
the Sea, but the Arrabella (for so they called the Eagle, which 
the company purchased, in honour of the Lady Arrabella, 
Wife to that godly Esquire, Izack Johnson) ' espied foure 
Ships, as they supposed, in pursuit of them, their suspition 
being the more augmented by reason of a report (when they 
lay in harbor) of foure Dunkerk-men of war,^ who were said 
to lie waiting for their comming forth. At this fight they 
make preparation, according to their present condition, 
comforting one another in the sweete mercies of Christ: the 
weaker sex betooke them to the Ships hold, but the men one 
[on] Decks waite in a readinesse for the enemies approach. 
At whose courage many of the Seamen wonder, not knowing 
under whose command these their passengers were, even he 
who makes all his Souldiers bold as Lions. Yet was he not 
minded to make triall of his peoples valiantcy in fight at this 
time, for the ships comming up with them proved to be their 
own Countrymen and friends, at which they greatly rejoyced, 
seeing the good hand of their God was upon them, and are 
further strengthened in Faith to rely one [on] Christ, for the 
future time, against all Leakes, Stormes, Rockes, Sands, and 

'Isaac Johnson, one of the "assistants," and reputed the richest of the 
immigrants, was married to Lady Arbella or Arabella Fiennes, sister of the 
Earl of Lincoln. She died within three months after her arrival in New England, 
and her husband less than a month after her. See ch. xvii., post. 

'Till November, 1630, P^ngland was still nominally at war with Spain. 
Dunkirk was a Spanish possession. Its position with respect to the Straits of 
Dover made it an advantageous port from which men-of-war and privateers 
could prey upon English commerce in the Channel, and they did so in time of 
peace as well as in time of war. 



1630] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 57 

all other wants a long Sea-voyage procures, sustaining them 
with all meeknesse and patience, yet sensible of the Lords 
frownes, humbling their soules before him, and also rejoycing 
in his deliverances in taking the cup of Salvation, and pay- 
ing the tribute of thankfulnesse to the most high, whose provi- 
dent hand was diversly directed toward them, purposely to 
point out the great hardships they must undergoe in this 
their Christian warfare, and withall to tell them, although 
their difficulties were many and mournfull, yet their victories 
should be much more glorious and joyfull, eminently eyed of 
the whole World, But now keeping their course so neere as 
the winds will suffer them, the billowes begin to grow lofty 
and rageing, and suddenly bringing them into the vale of 
death, covering them with the formidable flouds, and dash- 
ing their bodies from side to side, hurling their unfixed goods 
from place to place. At these unwonted workes many of 
these people, amazed, finde such opposition in nature, that her 
principles grow feeble, and cannot digest her food, loathing 
all manner of meat, so that the vitall parts are hindered from 
co-operating with the Soule in spirituall duties, insomuch 
that both Men, Women and Children are in a helplesse con- 
dition for present, and now is the time if ever of recounting 
this service they have, and are about to undertake for Christ; 
but he, who is very sensible of his peoples infirmities, rebukes 
the winds and Seas for their sakes, and then the reverend and 
godly among them begin to exhort them in the name of the 
Lord, and from the Lord, being fitted with such words as 
much incourrages the worke they are going about. Many of 
their horses and other Cattell are cast over-board by the way, 
to the great disheartning of some, but Christ knew well how 
far his peoples hearts would be taken off the maine worke 
with these things. And therefore although he be very ten- 
der in providing outward necessaries for his, yet rather than 
this great worke (he intends) should be hindered, their Tables 
shall be spred but thinly in this Wildernesse for a time. 
After the Lord had exercised them thus severall ways, he sent 
Diseases to visit their Ships, that the desart Land they were 
now drawing near unto might not be deserted by them at 
first enterance, which sure it would have been by many, had 
not the Lord prevented by a troublesom passage. At fortv 



58 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1630 

dayes end, or thereabout, they cast to sound the Seas depth, 
and find them sixty fadom, by which they deem the bankes 
of New found Land are near, where they being provided with 
Cod-Hne and Hooke hale up some store of fish to their no 
small refreshing, and within some space of time after they 
approach the Cost of New England, where they are againe 
provided with Mackarell, and that which was their greater 
rejoycing, they discover Land; at sight thereof they blessed 
the Lord. 

But before the Author proceed any further in this Dis- 
course, take here a short survay of all the Voyages by Sea, 
in the transportation of these Armies of the great Jehova, 
for fifteene years space to the year 1643, about which time 
England began to indeavour after Reformation, and the 
Souldiers of Christ were set at liberty to bide his battells at 
home, for whose assistance some of the chiefe worthies of 
Christ returned back. The number of Ships that transported 
passengers in this space of time, as is supposed, is 298.* Men, 
Women and Children passing over this wide Ocean, as near 
as at present can be gathered, is also supposed to be 21200 
or thereabout. 

Chap. XV. 

An Exhortation to all People, Nations and Languages, to in- 
deavour the advancing of the Kingdome of Christ in the 
purity of his Ordinances, seeing he hath done su^h admi- 
rable Acts for these poore shrubs. 

And now all you whose affections are taken with wonder- 
full matters (Attend) and you that thinke Christ hath for- 
gotten his poore despised people (Behold) and all you that 
hopefully long for Christs appearing to confound Antichrist 
(Consider) and rejoyce all yee his Churches the W^orld through- 

' At the beginning of ch. xvi. the number is stated as one hundred and ninety- 
eight, which is more Hkely what Johnson wrote or meant to write. Somewhat 
more than a hundred such ships are enumerated in the pages of Winthrop for 
the period 1630-1G43. In the sixty cases in which he gives the number of pas- 
sengers brought, it averages a little over one hundred, as would also be true of 
one hundred and ninety-eight ships bringing twenty-one thousand two hundred 
passengers. 



1630] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 59 

out, for the Lambe is preparing his Bride, and oh! yee the 
antient Beloved of Christ, whom he of old led by the hand 
from Egypt to Canaan, through that great and terrible Wil- 
dernesse, looke here, behold him whom you have peirced, 
preparing to peirce your hearts with his Wonder-working 
Providence, and to provoke you by this little handfull of his 
people to looke on him, and mourne. Yet let no man think 
these few weake Wormes would restraine the wonderfull 
Workes of Christ, as onely to themselves, but the quite con- 
trary, these [are] but the Porch of his glorious building in 
hand, and if hee have shewed such admirable acts of his 
providence toward these, what will he doe when the whole 
Nation of English shall set upon like Reformation accord- 
ing to the direct Rule of his Word? Assured confidence 
there is also for all Nations, from the undoubted promise 
of Christ himselfe. 

The Winter is past, the Raine is changed and gone, come 
out of the holes of the secret places, feare not because your 
number is but small, gather into Churches, and let Christ be 
your King; yee Presbytery, Lord it not over them or any 
Churches, but feed every one, that one flock over which 
Christ hath made you overseers, and yee people of Christ 
give your Presbytery double honours, that they with you 
may keepe the watch of the Lord over his Churches. Yee 
Dutch come out of your hods-podge, the great mingle-mangle 
of Religion among you hath caused the Churches of Christ to 
increase so little with you, standing at a stay like Corne 
among Weeds, Oh, yee French! feare not the great swarmes 
of Locusts, nor the croking Frogs in your Land, Christ is 
reaching out the hand to you, look what hee hath done for 
these English, and sure hee is no Respecter of Persons, etc.: 
yee Germanes that have had such a bloudy bickering, Christ 
is now comming to your aide, then cast off your loose, and 
carelesse kinde of Reformation; gather into Churches, and 
keepe them pure, that Christ may delight to dwell among you : 
oh Italy! The Seat and Center of the Beast, Christ will now 
pick out a People from among you for himselfe, see here what 
wonders hee workes in little time. Oh! yee Spaniards and 
Portugalls, Christ will shew you the abominations of that 
beastly Whore, who hath made your Nations drunke with the 



60 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1630 

Wine of her Fornication.* Dread not that cruell murtherous 
Inquisition, for Christ is now making Inquisition for them, 
and behold, here how hee hath rewarded them, who dealt 
cruelly with these his people. 

Finally, oh all yee Nations of the World, behold great is 
the worke the glorious King of Heaven and Earth hath in 
hand; beware of neglecting the call of Christ: and you the 
Seed of Israel both lesse and more, the ratling of your dead 
bones together is at hand, Sinewes, Flesh and Life: at the 
Word of Christ it comes. Counsellers and Judges you shall 
have as at the begining to fight for you, as Gidion, Bareck, 
Jeptha, Samson etc. then sure your deliverance shall be 
sudden and wonderfuU. If Christ have done such great 
things for these low Shrubs, what will his most Admirable, 
Excellent and wonderfuU W^orke for you be, but as the Resur- 
rection from the dead, when all the miraculous acts of his 
wonderful! power shewed upon Pharoah for your fore-Fathers 
deliverance shall be swallowed up with those far greater 
workes that Christ shall shew for your deliverance upon the 
whole World, by Fiers and Bloud destroying both Pope and 
Turke, when you shall see great smoake and flames ascending 
up on high, of that great Whore, Revel. 14 and 11. verse, and 
the 17. and 16. verse, and the 18. the 8. and 18. vers. Then 
oh ! you People of Israel gather together as one Man, and grow 
together as one Tree. Ezek. 37. and 23. For Christ the great 
King of all the Earth is now going forth in his great Wrath 
and terrible Indignation to avenge the bloud of his Saints, 
Ezek. 38 and 19. vers, and now for the great and bloudy 
Battell of Gog and Magog,^ Rivers of bloud, and up to the 
Horse-bridles, even the bloud of those [who] have drunke 
bloud so long. Oh! dreadfull day, when the patience and 
long-suffering of Christ, that hath lasted so many hundreds 
of yeares, shall end. What wonderous workes are now sud- 
denly to be wrought for the accomplishment of these things! 
Then judge all you (whom the Lord Christ hath given a dis- 
cerning spirit) whether these poore New England People, be 
not the forerunners of Christs Army, and the marvelous provi- 

' Revelation xiv. 8, Babylon being currently identified with the Church of 
Rome. 

• Revelation xx. 8. 



1630] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 61 

dences which you shall now heare, be not the very Finger of 
God, and whether the Lord hath not sent this people to 
Preach in this Wildernesse, and to proclaime to all Nations, 
the neere approach of the most wonderfuU workes that ever 
the Sonnes of men saw. Will not you believe that a Nation 
can be borne in a day? here is a worke come very neare it; 
but if you will believe you shall see far greater things than 
these, and that in very little time, and in the meane time 
looke on the following Discourse. 

Chap. XVI. 

Of the admirable Acts of Christs Providence, in delivering 
this his people in their Voyages by Sea, from many foule 
dangers. 

You have heard of about 198. Ships passing the perillous 
Ocean, of all which I heare of but one that ever miscarried; ^ 
yet shall you here see some of the great dangers they were in. 
The Ship this Author came in, a foggy morning, anon by 
breake of day was ready to be steamed by a Pirate, but being 
unready for fight they passed by; others by a fog, have been 
delivered from farther chase of them, so that of this great 
number never did any Pirate make one shot at them, accord- 
ing to best intelligence. Their deliverance from leakes also 
hath been no lesse wonderfull, some so neare sinking, that the 
loving affection betweene Husband and Wife, hath caused 
them to fould each other in their Armes, with Resolution to 
die together, and make the Sea their Grave, yet not ceasing 
to call on the Lord, their present helpe in time of need, who 
is minded to manifest his great care for this his people to all 
that shall come to hear thereof, And therefore directs to 
meanes for freeing their ships, being now ready to founder 
in the depthlesse Ocean. And further, as if these deliverances 
were too little to expresse the tender care Christ hath of his, 
to free them from all dangers, those that occupy their busi- 
nesse in the deepe, and see the Wonders of God upon the 
waters, are taken with great astonishment to behold the 
extraordinary hand of the most High, in transportation of 

^ The Gabriel, lost at Pemaquid, Maine, in 1635. 



62 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1630 

this people, in that their ships all of a sudden are brought so 
neer the ground, and yet strike not, their Pilots missing oft- 
times of their skill on those unwandered Coasts, but their 
Jehovah hee misses not to be an exact Pilot in the most 
thickest fogge and darkest nights, for thus it befell. 

The night newly breaking off her darknesse, and the day- 
light being clouded with a grosse vapor, as if nights Curtaines 
remained halfe shut, the Sea-men and Passengers standing 
on the Decks, suddenly fixed their eyes one [on] a great Boat 
(as they deemed) and anon after they spied another, and 
after that another; but musing on the matter, they perceived 
themselves to be in great danger of many great Rocks. With 
much terror and affrightment, they turned the Ship about, 
expecting every moment to be dasht in pieces against the 
Rocks. But he whose providence brought them in. Piloted 
them out againe, without any danger, to their great Rejoycing. 
And assuredly (so extraordinarily eminent and admirable 
to the eyes of many beholders, was the wonderfull workes 
in magnifying the Rich grace toward this his people in pre- 
fering them) that many Masters of Ships left their Sea-imploy- 
ment for a time, and chose rather to suffer the wants of a 
Wildernesse with the people of God, than to increase their 
estates in a full-fed Land, and verily so taken they were, 
that they fell dowm at Christs Feet, and were placed by him 
as living stones, Elect and Pretious in his Churches; also 
many other Seamen were brought to seeke after Christ in his 
Ordinances, by which it appeares some great worke, by some 
far surpassing all this, hath Christ ere long to doe, that hee 
thus fitteth Instruments. Then all you that occupy ship- 
ping prepare for his service, who will assuredly prove the best 
owner that ever you went to Sea for. 

Furthermore, the condition of those persons [that] passed 
the Seas, in this long and restlesse Voyage (if rightly con- 
sidered) wuU more magnifie the grace of Christ in this great 
Worke. First, such were many of them that never before had 
made any path through the W\aters, no not by boat, neither so 
much as scene a Ship, others so tenderly brought up that they 
had little hope of their Lives continuance under such hardships, 
as so long a Voyage must needs inforce them to indure, others 
there were, whose age did rather call for a quiet Couch to rest 



1630] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 63 

them on, than a pinching Cabbin in a Reeling Ship, others 
whose weake natures were so borne downe with Disease, 
that they could hardly craule up the Ships-side, yet ventured 
their weake Vessells to this Westurne World. Here also might 
you see weakly Women, whose hearts have trembled to set 
foote in Boate, but now imboldened to venter through these 
tempestuous Seas with their young Babes, whom they nur- 
ture up with their Breasts, while their bodies are tossed on 
the tumbling Waves; also others whose Wombes could not 
containe their fruit, being ready for the Worlds-light, trav- 
ailed and brought forth upon this depthlesse Ocean in this 
long Voyage, lively and strong Children yet living, and like 
to prove succeeding Instruments in the Hands of Christ, for 
furthering this worke; among other Sea-borne Gotten, now 
a young student in a Colledge in Cambridge, being Son to that 
Famous and Renowned Teacher of Christ, M. John Gotten; * 
by all this and much more that might be said, for almost 
every one you discourse withall will tell you of some Remark- 
able Providence of God shewed toward them in this their 
Voyage, by which you may see the Worke of Christ, is not to 
bee laid aside because of difficulties. 

Chap. XVII. 

Of the first leading of these People of Christ, when the Civill 
Government was Established. 

But to goe on with the Story, the 12 of July ^ or there- 
about, 1630, these Souldiers of Christ first set foote one this 
Westerne end of the World; where arriveing in safety, both 
Men, Women and Children, on the North side of Charles River, 
they landed neare a small Island, called Noddells Island,' 

1 Rev. John Cotton (1584-1652), rector of St. Botolph's Church, Boston, 
Lincolnshire, "perhaps the most influential of the non-conforming ministers in 
Old or New England," came out in the Griffiii in 1633, and speedily became teacher 
of the Boston church. His son Seaborn, born on the voyage, was graduated at 
Harvard College in 1651, and was afterward minister at Hampton, N. H. 

* The Arbella arrived in Salem harbor June 12, not July 12. 

' Noddle's Island is now East Boston. Maverick lived there from 1635 on, 
and was living there when Johnson wrote, but the place where he entertained 
Winthrop and his friends with characteristic hospitality was situated at Winni- 



64 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1630 

where one Mr. Samuel Mavereck then Hving, a man of a very 
loving and curteous behaviour, very ready to entertaine 
strangers, yet an enemy to the Reformation in hand, being 
strong for the Lordly Prelaticall power, one [on] this Island 
he had built a small Fort with the helpe of one Mr. David 
Tompson,* placing therein foure Murtherers to protect him 
from the Indians. About one mile distant upon the River 
ran a small creeke, taking its Name from Major Gen. Edward 
Gibbons,^ who dwelt there for some yeares after; One [on] 
the South side of the River one [on] a point of Land called 
Blaxtons point, planted Mr. William Blaxton, of whom we 
have former spoken: to the South-East of him, neare an 
Island called Tompsons Island lived some few Planters more. 
These persons were the first Planters of those parts, having 
some small Trading with the Indians for Beaver-Skins, which 
moved them to make their aboade in those parts, whom these 
first Troopes of Christs Army, found as fit helpes to further 
their worke. At their arrivall those small number of Chris- 
tians gathered at Salem, greatly rejoycing, and the more, 
because they saw so many that came chiefly for promoting 
the great Work of Christ in hand. The Lady Arrabella and 
some other godly Women aboad at Salem, but their Hus- 

aimmet, now Chelsea. In his account of Winnisimmet in his Briefe Discription 
of New England (1660) he refers to a "house yet standing there which is the 
Antientest house in tht, Massachusetts Government, a house which in the yeare 
1625 I fortified with a Pillizado and fflankers and guns both belowe and above in 
them." Samuel Maverick was a gentleman connected with the Gorges interest, 
who came to New England in 1624, married the widow of David Thompson, and 
had a large property. The relations of this "old planter" with the Massachusetts 
authorities were as a rule not friendly. In 1646 he was fined and imprisoned 
for a protest against their exclusive policy, and in 1664 he was one of the four 
royal commissioners sent out to subdue them. 

'David Thompson was another "old planter," a Scottish gentleman, and 
f)erhaps an agent of Gorges. He first dwelt in a great house and fort he had built 
in 1623 near the present site of Portsmouth, N. H., where he had a large grant of 
land from the Council for New England. In 1625 or 1626 he removed to the 
island in Boston harbor still called Thompson's Island; but he died before the 
great migration, probably in 1628. 

* Edward Gibbons had been a member of Morton's roistering crew at Merry 
Mount, but had been converted by witnessing the solemn ceremony of the gather- 
ing of the Salem church in 1629. Later, removing from Chariest own to Boston, 
he became a prominent merchant there, and was elected major-general or chief 
commander of the colony's militia in 1649. 



m 



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65 

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IN 1628-1651 



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MAP OF NEW ENGLAND IN 1628-1651 
From Palfrey's "History of New England" 



64 

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1630] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 65 

bands continued at Charles Town, both for the settling 
the civill Government, and gathering another Church of 
Christ. The first Court was holden aboard the ArrabeUa 
the 23. of August. When the much honoured John Win- 
trope Esq. was chosen Governour for the remainder of that 
yeare, 1630.^ Also the worthy Thomus Dudly Esq. was 
chosen Deputy Governour, and Mr. Simon Brodestreet Sec- 
retary, the people after their long Voyage were many of them 
troubled with the Scurvy, and some of them died. The first 
station they tooke up was at Charles Towne, where they 
pitched some Tents of Cloath, other built them small Huts, 
in which they lodged their Wifes and Children. The first 
beginning of this worke seemed very dolorous; First for the 
death of that worthy personage Izaac Johnson Esq. whom 
the Lord had indued with many pretious gifts, insomuch that 
he was had in high esteeme among all the people of God, and 
as a chiefe Pillar to support this new erected building. He 
very much rejoyced at his death, that the Lord had been 
pleased to keepe his eyes open so long, as to see one Church 
of Christ gathered before his death, at whose departure there 
was not onely many weeping eyes, but some fainting hearts, 
fearing the fall of the present worke. For future Remem- 
brance of him mind this Meeter. 

Izaac Johnson Esquire, beloved of Christ and his people, and one of 
the Magistrates of New England. 

What mov'd thee on the Seas upon such toyle with Lady-taking; 

Christs drawing love all strength's above, when way for his hee's 
making. 
Christ will have thee example be, honoured with's graces, yeilding 

His Churches aid, foundation laid, now new one Christ a building. 

' An error. No election took place till spring, the time fixed by the charter; 
and this August meeting was but a court of assistants, not a general court, com- 
petent to elect. Winthrop was governor 1629-1634, 1637-16'10, 1642-1644, 
1646-1649. See his Journal in this series, the chief record of early Massachusetts, 
as he was its chief figure. Dudley, a narrower and sterner Puritan, was deputy- 
governor during most of the years named, and four times governor. Bradstreet, 
a younger man but one of great ability, was governor during the last seven years 
under the first charter, 1679 to 1686, and from 1689 to 1692, after having been 
an "assistant" (member of the council) throughout the whole period from 1630 
to 1679. 



66 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1630 

Thy Faith, Hope, Love, Joy, Meeknesse prove improved for thy Lord, 
As he to thee, to people be, in Government accord. 

Oh! people why doth Christ deny this worthies life to lengthen? 
Christ onely trust, Johnsons turnd dust, and yet hee's crownd and 
strengthend. 

The griefe of this people was further increased by the sore 
sicknesse which befell among them, so that almost in every 
Family Lamentation, Mourning, and woe was heard, and no 
fresh food to be had to cherish them. It would assuredly 
have moved the most lockt up affections to Teares no doubt, 
had they past from one Hut to another, and beheld the pite- 
ous case these people were in, and that which added to their 
present distresse was the want of fresh water, for although 
the place did afford plenty, yet for present they could finde 
but one Spring, and that not to be come at but when the tide 
was downe, which caused many to passe over to the South- 
side of the River,* where they afterward erected some other 
Townes, yet most admirable it was to see with what Chris- 
tian courage many of these Souldiers of Christ carried it amidst 
all these calamities, and in October, the Governour Deputy 
and Assistants held their second Court on the South-side of 
the River; ^ Where they then began to build, holding corre- 
spondency with Charles Towne, as one and the same. 

At this Court many of the first Planters came, and were 
made free, yet afterward none were admitted to this fellow- 
ship, or freedome, but such as were first joyned in fellowship 
with some one of the Churches of Christ, their chiefest aime 
being bent to promote his worke altogether. The number 
of Freemen this yeare was 110. or thereabout.' 

* Charles. 

' Again an error. The Records show two more meetings of the Court of 
Assistants at Charlestown, September 7 and 28, 1630, and then the General Court 
at Boston, October 19. Boston was given a separate name September 7. 

' No freemen were admitted in 1630. In October one hundred and nine 
men (including Johnson) applied for admission; one hundred and sixteen (also 
including our author) were admitted in May, 1631, at which time the law making 
membership in one of the local churches a requirement for admission as a free- 
man was adopted. That law was maintained till 1664. 



1630] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 67 



Chap. XVIII. 

Of the second Church of Christ, gathered at Charles Towne in 
the Mattacusets Bay, 1631. 

And now the new-come Souldiers of Christ strengthen 
themselves in him, and gather a Church at Charles Towne, 
whose extent at present did reach to both sides of the River, 
and in very little time after was divided into two Churches.^ 
The Reverend and judicious Mr. John Wilson was called to 
be Pastor thereof/ a Man full of Faith, Courage and Zeale 
for the truth of Christ, persecuted and hunted after by the 
usurping Prelates (and forced for present to part from his 
indeared Wife) yet honoured by Christ, and made a powerful! 
instrument in his hands for the cutting downe of Error, and 
Schisme, as in the sequell of this History will appeare, in 
whose weaknesse Christs power hath appeared. 

The Grave and Reverend Mr. John Wilson, now Pastor of the Church 
of Christ at Boston, in New England. 

John Wilson will to Christs will submit, 

In Wildernesse, where thou hast Trialls found, 
Christ in new making did compose thee fit, 

And made thy Love, zeale, for his truth abound. 
Then it's not Wilson, but Christ by him hath 

Error cut down when it o'retopping stood, 
Thou then 'Gainst it didst shew an holy wrath, 

Saving mens soules from this o're-flowing floud. 
They thee deprave, thy Ministrey dispise. 

By thy thick utterance seeke to call Men back 

* The separate church in Charlestown was formed in November, 1632, the 
First Church of Boston being held to date from July 30, 1630, and to be the 
original church, transferred from Charlestown to the south bank of the Charles. 
But in reality the Dorchester church antedated it by a month. 

^ John Wilson (1588-1667), son of a prebendary of Windsor, and himself a 
minister of the Church of England, came out with Winthrop, and became first 
teacher, then pastor, of the Boston church. A pillar of orthodoxy in the Antino- 
mian troubles, he was usually overshadowed by his more talented colleague, 
John Cotton, teacher of the same church. 



68 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1630 

From hearing thee, but Christ for thee did rise 

And turnd the wheel-right over them to crack.^ 
Yea, caused thee with length of dayes to stand 

Steadfast in's house, in old Age fruit to bring; 
I [ay] and thy seed raise up by his command, 

His Flock to feed; rejoyce my Muse and sing 
That Christ doth dust regard so plentiously, 

Rich gifts to give, and heart to give him his; 
Estate and person thou spends liberally; 

Christ thee and thine will Crown with lasting Blisse. 

This, as the other Churches of Christ, began with a small 
number in a desolate and barren Wildernesse, which the Lord 
in his wonderfull mercy hath turned to fruitfull Fields. 
Wherefore behold the present condition of these Churches 
compared with their beginnings; as they sowed in teares, so 
also have they Reaped in joy, and shall still so go on if plenty 
and liberty marre not their prosperity. This Towne of 
Charles is situated one the North-side of Charles River, from 
whence it tooke its Name, the River being about five or six 
fathom deepe; Over against the Town many small Islands 
lieing to the Seaward of it, and Hills one either side. By 
which meanes it proves a very good harbor for Ships, which 
hath caused many Sea-men and Merchants to sit downe there. 
The forme of this Towne in the frontice piece thereof, is like 
the Head, Neck and Shoulders of a Man, onely the pleasant 
and Navigable River of Mistick runs through the right shoul- 
der thereof, and by its neare approach to Charles River in 
one place makes a very narrow neck, by which meanes the 
chiefe part of the Towne, whereon the most building stands, 
becomes a Peninsula: it hath a large Market-place neer the 
water side built round with Houses, comly and faire, forth of 
which there issues two streetes orderly built with some very 
faire Houses, beautified with pleasant Gardens and Orchards, 
the whole Towne consists in its extent of about 150. dwelling 
Houses. Their meeting house for Sabbath assembly stands 
in the Market-place, very comly built and large, the Officers 
of this Church are at this day one Pastor, and one Teacher, 
one Ruling Elder, and three Deacons, the number of Soules 

'A pun on the name of Rev. John Wheelwright, Mrs. Hutchinson's brother- 
in-law and chief upholder in the Antinomian controversy. 



1630] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 69 

are about 160. Wonderfull it is to see that in so short a time 
such great alterations Christ should worke for these poors 
people of his: their Corne Land in Tillage in this Towne is 
about 1200. Acres, their great Cattell are about 400. head, 
Sheepe neare upon 400. as for their horse you shall hear of 
them, Godwilling, when we come to speak of their Military 
Discipline.^ 

Chap. XIX. 

Of the Third Church of Christ gathered at Dorchester, 1631.' 

The third Church of Christ gathered under this Govern- 
ment was at Dorchester, a frontire Town scituated very 
pleasantly both for facing the Sea, and also its large extent 
into the main Land, well watered with two small Rivers; 
neere about this Towne inhabited some few ancient Traders, 
who were not of this select band, but came for other ends, 
as Morton of Merrymount,^ who would faine have resisted 
this worke, but the provident hand of Christ prevented. 
The forme of this Towne is almost like a Serpent turning her 
head to the North-ward, over against Tompsons Island, and 
the Castle; her body and wings being chiefly built on, are 
filled somewhat thick of Houses, onely that one of her Wings 
is dipt, her Tayle being of such a large extent that shee can 
hardly draw it after her; Her Houses for dwelling are about 
one hundred and forty. Orchards and Gardens full of Fruit- 

' This interesting description of Charlestown, where Johnson lived about 
six years (see the Introduction), is to be understood as referring, not to the year 
1631, mentioned in the heading of the chapter, but to the date of the composition 
of the book, about 1650. The same is true of the descriptions of other towns. 

^ The date, as in the heading of the preceding chapter, is incorrect. The 
Dorchester people, who came in a separate ship, arriving earlier than Winthrop's 
fleet, had organized a church in Plymouth, England, just before sailing, and had 
chosen Rev. John Maverick as teacher, and Rev. John Warham as pastor. This 
church may be regarded as the second rather than the third of the Massachusetts 
churches; and Dorchester was in the first years of the colony the largest and 
most flourishing of the towns. 

^ Thomas Morton, a "pettifogger of Furnivall's Inn" and partner of Captain 
Wollaston, had persuaded some of the latter 's men to join him in maintaining at 
"Merry Mount" a jovial but disorderly settlement, which the neighboring set- 
tlers, under Captain Miles Standish, suppressed in 1628. See Bradford, pp. 
236-243. 



70 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1632 

trees, plenty of Corne-Lande, although much of it hath been 
long in tillage, yet hath it ordinarily good crops, the number 
of Trees are neare upon 1500. Cowes, and other Cattell of 
that kinde about 450. Thus hath the Lord been pleased to 
increase his poore dispersed people, whose number in this 
Flock are neare about 150. Their first Pastor called to feede 
them was the Reverend, and godly Mr. Maveruck.' 

Maveruck thou must put period to thy dayes, 

In Wildernesse thy kindred thee provoke 
To come, but Christ doth thee for high ends Raise, 

Amongst his worthies to strike many a stroke. 
Thy godly Life, and Doctrine speake, though thou 

In dust art laid, yet Christ by thee did feede 
His scattered Lambes, they gathered are by you; 

Christ calls thee home, but flock he leaves to feede. 

Chap. XX. 

Of the Fourth Church of Christ gathered at Boston, 1631.^ 

After some little space of time the Church of Christ at 
Charles Town, having their Sabbath assemblies oftenest on 
the South side of the River, agreed to leave the people on that 
side to themselves, and to provide another Pastor for Charles 
Towne, which accordingly they did. So that the fourth 
Church of Christ issued out of Charles Towne, and was seated 
at Boston, being the Center Towne and Metropolis of this 
Wildernesse worke (but you must not imagine it to be a Metro- 
politan Church). Invironed it is with the Brinish flouds, 
saving one small Istmos, which gives free accesse to the 
Neighbour Townes by Land on the South side; on the North 
west, and North East, two constant Faires [Ferries] are kept 
for daily traffique thereunto. The forme of this Towne is 
like a heart, naturally scituated for Fortifications, having two 
Hills on the frontice part thereof next the Sea, the one well 

• Rev. John Maverick died in 1636. A marginal note here reads: "Mr. 
Wareham and other of their Teaching Elders, you shall reade of when the Can- 
ecktoco [Connecticut] is planted." See ch. xxxni., post. 

•Again an error. The Boston and Watertown churches (1630) were the 
third and fourth, those of Roxbury and Lynn (1632) the fifth and sixth, and the 
new church of Charlestown (November, 1632, see p. 67, note 1) the seventh. 



1632] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 71 

fortified on the superfices thereof, with store of great Artillery- 
well mounted, the other hath a very strong battery built of 
whole Timber, and filled with Earth. At the descent of the 
Hill in the extreme poynt thereof, betwixt these two strong 
armes lies a large Cave [Cove] or Bay, on which the chiefest 
part of this Town is built, over-topped with a third Hill; 
all three like over-topping Towers keepe a constant watch to 
fore-see the approach of forrein dangers, being furnished 
with a Beacon and lowd babling Guns, to give notice by their 
redoubled eccho to all their Sister-townes. The chiefe Edi- 
fice of this City-like Towne is crowded on the Sea-bankes, 
and wharfed out with great industry and cost, the buildings 
beautifull and large, some fairely set forth with Brick, Tile, 
Stone and Slate, and orderly placed with comly streets, whose 
continuall inlargement presages some sumptuous City. The 
wonder of this moderne Age, that a few yeares should bring 
forth such great matters by so meane a handfull, and they so 
far from being inriched by the spoiles of other Nations, that 
the states of many of them have beene spoiled by the Lordly 
Prelacy, whose Lands must assuredly make Restitutions. 
But now behold the admirable Acts of Christ; at this his 
peoples landing, the hideous Thickets in this place were such, 
that Wolfes and Beares nurst up their young from the eyes 
of all beholders, in those very places where the streets are full 
of Girles and Boys sporting up and downe, with a continued 
concourse of people. Good store of Shipping is here yearly 
built, and some very faire ones: both Tar and Mastes the 
Countrey affords from its own soile; also store of Victual! 
both for their owne and Forreiners-ships, who resort hither 
for that end : this Town is the very Mart of the Land, French, 
Portugalls and Dutch come hither for Traffique. 

Chap. XXI. 

Of the Fift Church of Christ, gathered at Roxhury, 163L* 

The fift Church of Christ was gathered at Roxbury scitu- 
ated between Boston and Dorchester, being well watered 
with coole and pleasant Springs issuing forth the Rocky-hills, 

^ See the last preceding note. 



72 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1632 

and with small Freshets, watering the Vallies of this fertill 
Towne, whose forme is somewhat like a wedge double pointed, 
entring betweene the two foure-named Townes, filled with a 
very laborious people, whose labours the Lord hath so blest, 
that in the roome of dismall Swampes and tearing Bushes, 
they have very goodly Fruit-trees, fruitfull Fields and Gardens, 
their Heard of Cowes, Oxen and other young Cattell of that 
kind about 350. and dwelling-houses neere upon 120. Their 
streetes are large, and some fayre Houses, yet have they built 
their House for Church-assembly, destitute and unbeautified 
with other buildings. The Church of Christ here is increased 
to about 120. persons, their first Teaching Elder called to 
Office is Mr. Eliot * a yong man at his comming thither, of a 
cheerfull spirit, walking unblameable, of a godly conversa- 
tion, apt to teach, as by his indefatigable paines both with 
his own flock, and the poore Indians doth appeare, whose 
Language he learned purposely to helpe them to the knowl- 
edge of God in Christ, frequently Preaching in their Wig- 
wams, and Catechizing their Children. 

Mr. Eliot Pastor of the Church of Christ at Roxbury, in New England, 
much honoured for his labours in the Lord. 

Great is thy worke in Wildernesse, Oh man, 

Young Eliot neere twenty yeares thou hast 
In Westerne world with miccle toile thy span 

Spent well-neere out, and now thy gray hayrs gracest [graced] 
Are by thy Land-Lord Christ, who makes use of thee 

To feede his flock, and heathen people teach 
In their own Language, God and Christ to see; 

A Saviour their blind hearts could not reach. 
Poore naked Children come to learne Gods Mind 

Before thy face with reverend regard; 
Blesse God for thee may these poore heathen blind, 

That from thy mouth Christs Gospell sweete have heard. 
Eliot, thy name is through the wild woods spread, 

In Indians mouths frequent's thy fame, for why? 

John Eliot (1604-1090), the celehrated "apostle to the Indians," began 
his missionary work with them in 1646, gathered a body of his "praying Indians" 
into a church at Natick in 1660, and translated the Bible into their language 
(first ed., O.T., 1663; N. T., 1661). 



1632] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 73 

In sundry shapes the Devills made them dread; 

And now the Lord makes them their Wigwams fly. 
Rejoyce in this, nay rather joy that thou 

Amongst Christs Souldiers hast thy name sure set, 
Although small gaine on Earth accrew to you, 

Yet Christ to Crowne will thee to Heaven soone fet. 



Chap. XXII. 

Of the Sixth Church of Christ, gathered at Linn. 1631. 

The Sixth Church of Christ was gathered at Linn, betweene 
Salem and Charles Towne, her scituation is neere to a River, 
whose strong freshet at breaking up of Winter filleth all her 
Bankes, and with a furious Torrent ventes it selfe into the 
Sea; This Towne is furnished with Mineralls of divers kinds, 
especially Iron and Lead. The forme of it is almost square, 
onely it takes two large a run into the Land-ward (as most 
Townes do). It is filled with about one hundred Houses for 
dwelling; Here is also an Iron Mill in constant use, but as for 
Lead they have tried but little yet. Their meeting-house 
being on a levell Land undefended from the cold Northwest- 
wind; And therefore made with steps descending into the 
Earth. Their streetes are straite and comly, yet but thin 
of Houses, the people mostly inclining to Husbandry, have 
built many Farmes Remote there, Cattell exceedingly multi- 
plied, Goates which were in great esteeme at their first com- 
ming, are now almost quite banished, and now Horse, Kine 
and Sheep are most in request with them. The first feeder 
of this flock of Christ was Mr. Stephen Batchelor,^ gray and 
aged, of whom as followeth: 

Through Ocean large Christ brought thee for to feede, 
His wandering flock with's word thou hast oft taught, 

Then teach thy selfe with others thou hast need- 
Thy flowing fame unto low ebbe is brought. 

' Batchellor was an ejected Puritan minister, who had associated himself 
with the Company of Husbandmen, or Company of the Plough, a group which 
had from the Council for New England a large grant in southwestern Maine. 
When he arrived in New England in 1632 and found that their colony had failed, 



74 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1630 

Faith and Obedience Christ full near hath joyn'd, 
Then trust on Christ, and thou againe mayst be 

Brought on thy race though now far cast behinde; 
Run to the end, and crowned thou shalt be. 

Chap. XXIII. 

Of the seventh Church of Christ gathered at Water-Tovme, 1631. 

The Seaventh Church of Christ gathered out of this wan- 
dering Race of Jaccobites ^ was at Water-Towne, scituate upon 
one of the Branches of Charles River, a fruitfull plat, and of 
large extent, watered with many pleasant Springs, and small 
Rivulets, running like veines throughout her Body, which 
hath caused her inhabitants to scatter in such manner, that 
their Sabbath- Assemblies prove very thin if the season favour 
not, and hath made this great Towne (consisting of 160. 
Families) to shew nothing delightfull to the eye in any place; 
this Towne began by occasion of Sir Richard Saltingstall,* 
who at his arrivall, having some store of Cattell and servants, 
they wintered in those parts: this Town aboundes in several! 
sorts of Fish at their seasons, Basse, Shad, Alewifes, Frost- 
fish, and Smelts: their herd of Kine, and Cattell of that kinde 
are about 450. with some store of Sheepe and Goates. Their 
Land in tillage is neere upon 1800. Acres. This Church is 
increased to neer about 250. soules in Church-fellowship. 

he and his group settled at Lynn. There he was minister till 1635 only. Thence 
he went on, to Ipswich, to Newbury, to Hampton, N. H., where after a brief 
pastorate he was deposed and excommunicated for immoral conduct, and finally 
to Portsmouth, where he was living in most unhappy circumstances when John- 
son penned these admonitory verses. The date above should be 1632, that 
above the next chapter 1630. 

' Johnson often uses this term for the chosen people of New England. The 
explanation is only to be found by referring to what he had written in the town 
records of Woburn concerning those making the preliminary exploration of that 
township in 1640; "Lik Jacobits laying them downe to rest where night drue on." 
The allusion is to Genesis xxviii. 11; the phrase, thus coined, became a favorite 
one with the author. 

•Sir Richard Saltonstall, nephew of a lord mayor of London, was one of 
the original grantees of the IMassachusetts patent, and now an assistant. lie 
returned to England the next year, but was always a stout friend of the colony. 
For his son Richard, who remained in New England, sec p. 102, jtoA-t. 



1631] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 75 

Their first Pastor was Mr. Phillips/ a man mighty in the 
Scriptures, and very diligent to search out the minde of Christ 
therein contained, of whom as followeth: 

The pennury of Wildernesse shall not 

Daunt Phillips, and diswade his undertaking 
This Voyage long: for Christ hath made him hot 

With zeal for's truth, thy native soile forsaken 
To follow Christ his bannisht flock to feede. 

With restlesse toile thus honour'd Christ hath thee, 
Then it maintaine though thou thy people neede; 

Christ would thou shouldst of them aye honoured be. 
Till death thou hast been souldier in this War; 

Darke types the shaddowes of good things now come 
By thee have been unfoulded very far; 

Cleer'd baptimes light from error broch'd by some, 
As by thy worke in Print appeares this day. 

Though thou thy days hast ended on this Earth, 
Yet still thou livest in Name and Fame alway; 

Christ thee poore dust doth crowne with lasting Mirth. 

Chap. XXIV. 

Of the great cheerfulnesse of their Souldiers of Christ, in and 
under the penuries of a Wildernesse. 

These were the beginnings of these resolute Souldiers of 
Christ Jesus in the yeare, 1631, Even to lay the Foundation 
of their severall Churches of Christ, built onely on him as 
their chiefe Corner Stone. But as his chosen Israel met with 
many difficulties after their returne from Captivity, in build- 
ing the Temple and City, which they valiantly waded through , 
So these weake wormes (Oh Christ to thy praise be it spoken) 
were most wonderfully holpen in such distresses, as to ap- 
pearance of man seemed to be both hopelesse, and helplesse, 
threatning destruction to the whole building, and far from 
accomplishing such great things as you have in part seene 

' George Phillips, M.A. Cambridge 1617, pastor of the Watertown church 
from 1630 to his death in 1644, had a leading part in committing the colony to 
the Separatist or Congregational polity. The work alluded to in the verses 
below is apparently A Replj to a Confutation of some Grounds for Infant's Bap- 
tism (London, 1645). 



76 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1631 

already, and shall in the following discourse (God willing) see 
more abundantly, adding a strong testimony to the work, 
that as it was begun by Christ, so hath it beene carried on by 
him, and shall to the admiration of the whole World be per- 
fected in his time, and unlesse men will be wilfully blinde, 
they must needs see and confesse the same, and that the in- 
fluence thereof hath already run from one end of the Earth 
unto the other. 

This yeare 1631. John Winthrop Esq. was chosen Gov- 
ernour, pickt out for the worke, by the provident hand of the 
most high, and inabled with gifts accordingly; then all the 
folke of Christ, who have seene his face and beene partaker 
of the same, remember him in this following Meeter. 

John Winthrope Esq. Eleven times Governour of the English Nation, 
inhabiting the Mattacusets Bay in New England. 

W^y leavest thou, John, thy station, in Suffolk, thy own soile,* 

Christ will have thee a pillar be, for's people thou must toyle; 
He chang'd thy heart, then take his part, 'gainst prelates proud 
invading 
His Kingly throne set up alone, in wildernesse their shading. 
His little flocks from Prelates knocks, twice ten years rul'd thou hast, 
With civill sword at Christs word, and eleven times been trast 
[traced ?] 
By Name and Note, with peoples vote, their Governour to be; 

Thy means hast spent, 'twas therefore lent, to raise this work by thee. 
Well arm'd and strong with sword among Christ['s] armies marcheth 
he. 
Doth valiant praise, and weak one raise, with kind benignity. 
To lead the Van 'gainst Babylon, doth worthy Winthrop call; 

Thy Progeny shall Battell try, when Prelacy shall fall. 
With fluent Tongue thy Pen doth run, in learned Latine phrase. 
To Sweads, French, Dutch, thy Neighbours, which thy lady rhet- 
orick praise. 
Thy bounty feeds Christs servants needs, in wilderness of wants 

To Indians thou Christs Gospell now 'mongst heathen people plants. 
Yet thou poore dust, now dead and must to rottennesse be brought, 
Till Christ restore thee glorious, more then can of dust be 
thought. 

* Winthrop was lord of the manor of Groton, in Suffolk. 



i 



1631] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 77 

The much honoured Thomas Dudly Esquire was chosen 
Deputy Governour, and the number of Free-men added was 
about 83/ Those honoured persons who were now in place 
of Government, having the propagation of the Churches of 
Christ in their eye, laboured by all meanes to make roome for 
Inhabitants, knowing well that where the dead carkass is, 
thither will the Eagles resort. But herein they were much 
opposed by certaine persons, whose greedy desire for land 
much hindered the worke for a time, as indeed all such per- 
sons do at this very day, and let such take notice how these 
were cured of this distemper, some were taken away by death, 
and then to be sure they had Land enough, others fearing 
poverty, and famishment, supposing the present scarcity 
would never be turned into plenty, removed themselves away, 
and so never beheld the great good the Lord hath done for 
his people, but the valiant of the Lord waited with patience, 
and in the misse of beere supplied themselves with water, 
even the most honoured as well as others, contentedly re- 
joy cing in a Cup of cold water, blessing the Lord that had 
given them the taste of that living water, and that they had 
not the water that slackes the thirst of their naturall bodies, 
given them by measure, but might drinke to the full; as also 
in the absence of Bread they feasted themselves with fish. 
The Women once a day, as the tide gave way, resorted to the 
Mussells, and Clambankes, which are a Fish as big as Horse- 
mussells, where they daily gathered their Families food with 
much heavenly discourse of the provisions Christ had formerly 
made for many thousands of his followers in the wildernesse. 
Quoth one, ''My Husband hath travailed as far as Plimoth" 
(which is neere 40 miles,) ''and hath with great toile brought 
a little Corne home with him, and before that is spent the 
Lord will assuredly provide": quoth the other, "Our last 
peck of Meale is now in the Oven at home a baking, and 
many of our godly Neighbours have quite spent all, and wee 
owe one Loafe of that little wee have"; Then spake a third, 
"My husband hath ventured himselfe among the Indians for 
Corne, and can get none, as also our honoured Governour 
hath distributed his so far, that a day or two more will put 

' The correct number is 126, 



78 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1631 

an end to his store, and all the rest, and yet methinks our 
Children are as cheerefull, fat, and lusty with feeding upon 
those Mussells, Clambanks and other Fish as they were in 
England, with their fill of Bread, which makes mee cheerful! 
in the Lords providing for us, being further confirmed by the 
exhortation of our Pastor to trust the Lord with providing 
for us; whose is the Earth and the fulnesse thereof." And 
as they were incouraging one another in Christs carefull pro- 
viding for them, they lift up their eyes and saw two Ships com- 
ming in, and presently this newes came to their Eares, that 
they were come from Jacland ^ full of Victualls, now their 
poore hearts were not so much refreshed in regard of the food 
they saw they were like to have, as their soules rejoyced in 
that Christ would now manifest himselfe to be the Commissary 
Generall of this his Army, and that hee should honour them 
so far as to be poore Sutlers for his Camp. They soone up 
with their Mussells, and hie them home to stay their hungry 
stomacks. After this manner did Christ many times graci- 
ously provide for this his people, even at the last cast. 

Chap. XXV. 

Of the Lords gracious protection of his people, from the barbarous 
cruelties of the Heathen. 

About this time the Indians that were most conversant 
among them, came quaking and complaining of a barbarous 
and cruell people called the Tarratines,^ who they said would 
eat such Men as they caught alive, tying them to a Tree, and 
gnawing their flesh by peece-meales off their Bones, as also 
that they were a strong and numerous people, and now com- 
ming, which made them flee to the English, who were but very 
few in number at this time, and could make but little resist- 
ance, being much dispersed, yet did they keepe a constant 
watch, neglecting no meanes Christ had put into their hands 
for their owne safety, in so much that they were exceedingly 

• Probably a misprint for Ireland. From other sources we know of but otie 
ship laden with provisions coming in at this time, the Lion, from Bristol. 

* See Winthrop, under August 8, 1631, vol. I., pp. 66, 67, of the edition m 
this series. 



1631] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 79 

weakned with continued labour, watching and hard diet, 
but the Lord graciously upheld them in all, for thus it befell 
neere the Towne of Linn, then called Saugust, in the very 
dead of the night (being upon their watch, because of the 
report that went of the Indians approach to those parts) one 
Lieutenant Walker, a man indued with faith, and of a coura- 
gious spirit, comming to relieve the Centinell, being come up 
with him, all of a sudden they heard the Sticks crack hard by 
them, and withall he felt something brush hard upon his 
shoulder, which was an Indian arrow shot through his Coat, 
and the wing of his buff e- Jacket. Upon this hee discharged 
his Gulliver directly toward the place, where they heard the 
noise, which being deeply loden brake in pieces, then they 
returned to the Gourt of Guard, and raised such small forces 
as they had; comming to the light they perceived he had an 
other Arrow shot through his Goat betwixt his Legs. Seeing 
this great preservation they stood upon their Guard till 
Morning, expecting the Indians to come upon them every 
moment, but when daylight appeared, they soone sent word 
to other parts, who gathered together, and tooke counsell how 
to quit themselves of these Indians, whose approach they 
demed would be sudden. They agreed to discharge their 
great Guns. The redoubling eccho rattling in the Rocks 
caused the Indians to betake themselves to flight (being a 
terrible unwonted sound unto them) or rather he who put 
such trembling feare in the Assyrians Army, struck the like 
in these cruell Ganniballs. In the Autumne following, the 
Indians, who had all this time held good correspondency with 
the English, began to quarrell with them about their bounds 
of Land, notwithstanding they purchased all they had of 
them, but the Lord put an end to this quarrell also, by smit- 
ing the Indians with a sore Disease, even the small Pox; of 
the which great numbers of them died, yet these servants of 
Ghrist minding their Masters businesse, were much moved in 
affection toward them to see them depart this life without the 
knowledge of God m Ghrist. And therefore were very fre- 
quent among them for all the noysomenesse of their Disease, 
entring their Wigwams, and exhorting them in the Name 
of the Lord. Among others one of the chief e Saggamoies 
of the Mattachusets, whom the English named Saggamore 



80 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1631 

John/ gave some good hopes, being alwayes very courteous to 
them, whom the godly, and much honour'd among the Eng- 
hsh, visiting a Httle before his death, they instructing him in 
the knowledge of God, Quoth hee, "by and by mee Matta- 
moy,^ may be my two Sons live, you take them to teach 
much to know God." 

Accordingly the honoured Mr. John Wlnthrop, and the 
Reverend Mr. John Wilson tooke them home, notwithstanding 
the infectiousnesse of the Disease their Father died of. The 
mortality among them was very great, and increased among 
them daily more and more, insomuch that the poore Creatures 
being very timorous of death, would faine have fled from it, 
but could not tell how, unlesse they could have gone from 
themselves; Relations were little regarded among them at 
this time, so that many, who were smitten with the Disease, 
died helplesse, unlesse they were neare, and known to the 
English: their Powwowes, Wizards, and Charmers, Atha- 
mochas' Factors, were possest with greatest feare of any. 
The Winters piercing cold stayed not the strength of this hot 
Disease, yet the English endeavouring to visit their sick Wig- 
wams, helpe them all they could, but as they entred one of 
their matted Houses, they beheld a most sad spectacle, death 
having smitten them all save one poore Infant, which lay on 
the ground sucking the Breast of its dead Mother, seeking to 
draw living nourishment from her dead breast. Their dead 
they left oft-times unburied, wherefore the English were 
forced to dig holes, and drag their stinking corps into them. 
Thus did the Lord allay their quarrelsome spirits, and made 
roome for the following part of his Army. This yeare came 
over more supplies to forward the worke of Christ. 

' Nanepashemet had been the principal chief of the Indians on the north 
side of the Bay. Sagamore John, his oldest son and successor, died in Decem- 
ber, 1633. 

* Mattavioi — to die (Wood, New Englands Prospect). 

• Misprint for Abbamocho's, i. e., the Devil's. 



1632] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 81 

Chap. XXVI. 
Of the gratious provisions the Lord made for his people. 

The yeare 1632. John Winthrope Esquire, was chosen 
Governour againe, and the antient Thomas Dudly Esquire, 
was Deputy Governour, a man of a sound judgement in matters 
of Rehgion and well read, bestowing much labour that way, 
of whom as followeth: 

The honoured, aged, stable and sincere servant of Christ, zealotis for his 
truth Thomas Dudly, Esq. foure times Governour of the English 
Nation, in the Mattacu^ets, and first Major Generall of the Millitary 
Forces.^ 

What Thomas, now believe dost thou that riches men may gaine, 

In this poore Plot Christ doth allot his people to sustaine? 
Rich Truth thou'lt buy and sell not, why, no richer Jem can be, 

Truths Champion in campion,^ Christ's grace hath placed thee. 
With civill Sword, at Christs Word, early cut off wilt thou 

Those Wolvish sheep, amongst flocks do creep, and damned 
doctrine low [sow?]. 
To trembling age, thou valiant sage, one foot wilt not give ground, 

Christs Enemies from thy face flies, his truth thou savest sound. 
Thy lengthened dayes, to Christs praise, continued are by him: 

To set, by thee, his people free from foes that raging bin. 
Wearied with yeares, it plaine appeares, Dudly not long can last, 

It matters not, Christ Crown thee got, its now at hand, hold fast.' 

This yeare was the first choise of Magistrates by free-men,^ 
whose number was now increased, fifty three or thereabout. 
To declare the manner of their Government is by the Author 
deferred till the year 1637, where the Reader may behold 
Government both in Churches and Common-wealth, to be an 
institution of the Lord, and much availeable through his 
blessing for the accomplishment of his promises to his people. 

' Dudley was elected governor in 1634, 1640, 1645, and 1650, and was chosen 
the first major-general of the colony's military forces in 1644. 

* Campaign. ^ Dudley died in July, 1653, aged 76. 

* In October, 1630, the General Court had provided that thereafter the 
governor and deputy-governor should be elected by the assistants, while the 
freemen, or members of the Company, should elect only the assistants. Now 
(May, 1632) the earlier system was restored, whereby governor, deputy-governor, 
and assistants were all alike chosen by the freemen in General Court. 



82 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1632 

This year these fore-runners of the following Army of 
Christ, after the sight of many of the admirable Acts of his 
providence for them, begun to take up steddy resolution 
through the helpe of him to wade through the Ocean they 
were farther like to meete withall, and therefore began to 
plant the yet untilled Earth, having as yet no other meanes 
to teare up the bushy lands, but their hands and howes, their 
bodies being in very ill temper by reason of the Scurvy (a 
Disease in those dayes very frequent) to undergoe such ex- 
tremity, but being prick'd on with hungers sharpe gode, they 
keepe doing according to their weake abilities, and yet pro- 
duce but little food for a long season, but being perswaded that 
Christ will rather raine bread from Heaven, then his people 
should want, being fully perswaded, they were set on the worke 
at his command. Wherefore they followed on with all hands, 
and the Lord (who hath the Cattell of thousand Hills, and the 
Come of ten thousand Vallies, the whole Earth, and fulnesse 
of it) did now raise up fresh supplies to be added to these both 
of men and provision of food, men no lesse valiant in Faith 
then them, the former amongst whom was the Reverend Mr. 
Welds and Mr. James, who was welcomed by the people of 
Christ at Charles Towne, and by them called to the Office of a 
Pastor, where hee continued for some yeares, and from thence 
removed to New haven, upon some seed of prejudice sowne by 
the enemies of this worke.* But good Reader doe thou behold, 
and remember him farther in the following Lines; 

Thy Native soile, Oh James, did thee approve, 

Gods people there in Lincolneshire commend 
Thy courteous speech and worke of Christian love, 

Till Christ through Seas did thee on Message send. 
With learned skill his mind for to unfold, 

His people in New England thou must feed, 
But one sad breach did cut that band should hold; 

Then part wilt thou least [lest] farther jars should breed. 

• Thomas James became pastor of the Charlestown church at its organiza- 
tion in November, 1632; after difficulties with his church he removed to New 
Haven in 1G38. Thence in 1643 he went to Virginia with Knowles and Thomp- 
son (see bk. in., ch. xi.) to establish Congregationalism, was banished, and re- 
tired to England. His son, Thomas James, alluded to in the last lines of the 
verses, was in 1650 ordained as pastor of the church at Easthampton, Long 
Island, and preached there till 1696. 



1632] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 83 

Yet part thou wilt not with Christs Truth, thy crowne. 

But my Muse waile that any souldier should 
In fighting slip, why James thou fallest not downe, 

Back thou retreats their valiant fighting, hold 
Fast on thy Christ, who thine may raise with thee, 

His bands increase, when leaders he provides, 
Thy Son young student may such blessing be, 

Thy losse repayre, and Christ thee crown besides. 

Although the great straites this Wildernesse people were 
in for want of food, was heard of among the godly people in 
England, yet would they not decline the worke, but men of 
Estates sold their possessions, and bought plenty of foode for 
the Voyage, which some of them sent before hand, by which 
meanes they were provided for, as also the Lord put it into 
the hearts of such as were Masters, and Undertakers of Ships, 
to store their Vessells so well that they had to spare for this 
peoples need, and further Christ caused abundance of very 
good Fish to come to their Nets and Hookes, and as for such 
as were unprovided with these meanes, they caught them 
with their hands, and so with Fish, wild Onions and other 
Herbs were sweetly satisfied till other provisions came in. 
Here must labouring men a little be minded, how ill they 
recompenced those persons, whose estates helpe them to food 
before they could reape any from the Earth, that forgetting 
those courtesies they soon by excessive prises took for their 
worke, made many File-leaders fall back to the next Ranke, 
advancing themselves in the meane time. About this time 
the Church of Christ at Roxbury, being a diligent people, 
early prevented their Brethren in other Churches by calling 
the Reverend Mr. Welds ^ to be their Pastor, of whom you 
may see somewhat farther in the following lines: 

To worke, oh Welds! in wildernesse betime 

Christ thee commands, that thou his folke should's follow: 

And feede his flock in Covenant band combine. 

With them through him his glorious name to hallow; 

•Thomas Welde, Eliot's colleague at Roxbury, was as famous for uncom- 
promising orthodoxy as Eliot was for gentle piety and missionary zeal. He had 
a leading part in the persecution of the Antinomians. In 1641 he went back to 
England with Hugh Peters, as agent of the colony, and never returned. 



84 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1632 

Seven yeares thou stoutly didst wade through with toile 

'^These desart cares, back by advice againe 
Thou didst returne unto thy native soile, 

There to advance Christs Kingdome now remaine. 
In Pulpit, and with Pen thou hast the truth 

Maintained, and clear'd from scandalous reproach 
Christs churches here, and shew'd their lasting Ruth, 

That dare 'gainst Christ their own inventions broach; 
Then sage, in age, continue such to be. 
Till Christ thee crowne, his gifts to thee are free. 

This yeare of sad distresses was ended with a terrible cold 
Winter, with weekly Snowes, and fierce Frosts betweene 
while congealing Charles River, as well from the Towne to 
Sea-ward, as above, insomuch that men might frequently 
passe from one Island to another upon the Ice. Here Reader 
thou must be minded of an other admirable Act of Christ 
for this yeare, in changing the very nature of the seasons, 
moderating the Winters cold of late very much, which some 
impute to the cutting downe the woods, and breaking up the 
Land; But Christ have the praise of all his glorious Acts. 
About this time did the valiant in faith, and Reverend Pastor 
Mr. John Wilson returne to England, and surely the power 
of Christ hath notably appeared in this weake sorry man. 
You must needs see the Author will flatter no man, yet will 
he not be wanting to tell the noble Acts of Christ Jesus, in 
making men strong for himselfe; here is one borne up in the 
armes of his mercy, often through the perillous Seas night and 
dayes, yea, weeks and months, upon the great deepe, and now 
having with his owne eyes beheld the manifold troubles these 
poore were in, yet at this very time hies him back to his 
Native soile, where his indeared Wife did yet remaine, pur- 
posely to perswade her to cast her cares upon the Lord, as he 
himself had already done, and then assuredly the wants of 
a Wildernesse would never hurt her. At the departure of 
this holy Man of God, many of his peoples hearts waxed very 
sad, and having looked long for his returne. Their eyes now 
began to faile in missing of their expectation. They accord- 
ing to their common course in time of great straites, set and 
appointed a day wholy to be spent in seeking the pleasing 
Face of God in Christ, purposing the Lord assisting to afflict 



1633] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 85 

their soules, and give him the honour of his All-seeingness, by 
a downe right acknowledgement of their sinnes. But the 
Lord, whose Grace is alwayes undeserved, heard them before 
they cried, and the afternoone ^ before the day appointed 
brought him, whom they so much desired, in safety to shore, 
with divers other faithfull servants of Christ ready armed for 
the Battell. The day was turned to a day of rejoycing, and 
blessing the Lord, even the mighty God of Jacob, the God of 
Armies is for us a refuge high. Shela. 

The yeare 1633. the honoured John Winthrope Esquire, 
was chosen Governour againe, and Thomas Dudly Esq. 
Deputy Governour, the number of Freemen added, or Souldiers 
listed was 46. The Winters Frost being extracted forth the 
Earth, they fall to tearing up the Roots, and Bushes with their 
Howes; even such men as scarce ever set hand to labour 
before, men of good birth and breeding, but comming through 
the strength of Christ to war their warfare, readily rush 
through all difficulties. Cutting down of the Woods, they 
inclose Corne fields, the Lord having mitigated their labours 
by the Indians frequent fiering of the woods, (that they may 
not be hindered in hunting Venson, and Beares in the Winter 
season) which makes them thin of Timber in many places, 
like our Parkes in England. The chiefest Corne they planted 
before they had Plowes was Indian Graine, whose increase 
is very much beyond all other, to the great refreshing of the 
poore servants of Christ, in their low beginnings. All kinde 
of Gardens Fruits grew very well, and let no man make a jest 
at Pumpkins, for with this fruit the Lord was pleased to feed 
his people to their good content, till Corne and Cattell were 
increased. 

And here the Lords mercy appeared much in that those, 
who had beene formerly brought up tender, could now con- 
tentedly feed on bare and meane Diet, amongst whom the 
Honoured and upright hearted in this worke of Christ, Mr. 
Increase Nowell,^ shall not be forgotten, having a diligent 
hand therein from the first beginning. 

> Of May 26, 1632. 

' Increase Nowell was one of the original grantees named in the Massa- 
chusetts patent, an assistant from 1629 to his death in 1655, and secretary of the 
colony from 1639 to 1650. 



86 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1633 

Increase shalt thou, with honour now, in this thy undertaking, 

Thou hast remain'd as yet unstaind, all errors foule forsaking; 
To poore and rich, thy Justice much hath manifested bin: 

Like Samuel, Nathanaell, Christ hath thee fram'd within; 
Thy faithfulnesse, people expresse, and Secretary they 

Chose thee each year, by which appeare, their love with thee doth 
stay. 
Now Nowell see, Christ call'd hath thee, and work thou must for him, 

In beating down the triple Crown, and all that his foes ben. 
Thus doest thou stand by Christ fraile man, to tell his might can make 

Dust do his will, with graces fill, till dust to him he take. 

Chap. XXVII. 

Of the gratious goodnesse of God, in hearing his peoples prayers 
in times of need, and of the Ship-loades of goods the Lord 
sent them in. 

Here againe the admirable Providence of the Lord is to be 
noted, That whereas the Country is naturally subject to 
drought, even to the withering of their summers Fruits, the 
Lord was pleased, during these yeares of scarcity, to blesse 
that small quantity of Land they planted with seasonable 
showers, and that many times to the great admiration of the 
Heathen, for thus it befell: the extreame parching heate of 
the Sun (by reason of a more constant clearnesse of the Aire 
then usually is in England) began to scorch the Herbs and 
Fruits, which was the chiefest meanes of their livelyhood. 
They beholding the Hand of the Lord stretched out against 
them, like tender hearted Children, they fell down on their 
knees, begging mercy of the Lord, for their Saviours sake, 
urging this as a chiefe argument, that the malignant adver- 
sary would rejoyce in their destruction, and blaspheme the 
pure Ordinances of Christ, trampling down his Kingly Com- 
mands with their owne inventions, and in uttering these 
words, their eyes dropped down many teares, their affections 
prevailing so strong, that they could not refraine in the 
Church- Assembly. Here admire and be strong in the Grace 
of Christ, all you that hopefully belong unto him, for as they 
powred out water before the Lord, so at that very instant, 
the Lord showred down water on their Gardens and Fields, 



1633] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 87 

which with great industry they had planted, and now had not 
the Lord caused it to raine speedily, their hope of food had 
beene lost : but at this these poore wormes were so exceedingly 
taken, that the Lord should show himselfe so neere unto their 
Prayers, that as the drops from Heaven fell thicker, and faster, 
so the teares from their eyes by reason of the sudden mixture 
of joy and sorrow, and verily they were exceedingly stirred in 
their affections, being unable to resolve themselves, which 
mercy was greatest, to have a humble begging heart given 
them of God, or to have their request so suddenly answered. 

The Indians hearing hereof, and seeing the sweet raine 
that fell, were much taken with Englishmens God, but the 
Lord seeing his poore peoples hearts were to narrow to beg, 
his bounties exceeds toward them at this time, as indeed hee 
ever hitherto hath done for this Wildernesse-People, not onely 
giving the full of their requests, but beyond all their thoughts, 
as witnesse his great worke in England of late, in which the 
prayers of Gods people in New England have had a great 
stroke; These people now rising from their knees to receive 
the rich mercies of Christ, in the refreshed fruits of the Earth, 
Behold the Sea also bringing in whole Ship-loades of mercies, 
more being filled with fresh forces, for furthering this wonder- 
full worke of Christ, and indeed this yeare came in many 
pretious ones, whom Christ in his grace hath made much use 
of in these his Churches, and Common-wealth, insomuch that 
these people were even almost over-ballanced with the great 
income of their present possessed mercies, yet they addresse 
themselves to the Sea shore, where they courteously welcom 
the famous servant of Christ, grave godly and judicious 
Hooker, and the honoured servant of Christ, M. John Haynes, 
as also the Reverend and much desired Mr. John Cotton, and 
the Retoricall Mr. Stone, ^ with divers others of the sincere 
servants of Christ, comming with their young, and with their 
old, and with their whole substance, to doe him service in this 

* Hooker, Cotton, and Stone are commemorated more amply on subsequent 
pages, pp. 90, 88, 93, respectively. John Haynes, who came with them in 
the Griffin, arriving in September, 1633, was a gentleman of large estate in Essex. 
In May, 1635, he was chosen governor; he served one year. In 1637 he re- 
moved to Connecticut, and was the first governor of that colony, serving in 1639 
and seven other years. 



88 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1633 

Desart wildernesse. Thus this poore people having now 
tasted Hberally of the salvation of the Lord every way, they 
deeme it high time to take up the Cup of thankfulnesse, and 
pay their vowes to the most high God, by whom they were 
holpen to this purpose of heart, and accordingly set apart 
the 16. day of October (which they call the eighth Moneth,* 
not out of any pevish humor of singularity, as some are ready 
to censor them with, but of purpose to prevent the Heathenish 
and Popish observation of Dayes, Moneths and Yeares, that 
they may be forgotten among the people of the Lord). This 
day was solemnly kept by all the seven Churches, rejoycing 
in the Lord, and rendering thanks for all their benefits. 

Here must not be omitted the indeared affections Mr. 
John Wilson had to the worke in hand, exceedingly setting 
forth (in his Sermon this day) the Grace of Christ in providing 
such meet helps for furthering thereof, really esteeming them 
beyond so many Ship-loading of Gold; manifesting the great 
humility Christ had wrought in him, not complementing, but 
in very deede prefering the Reverend Mr. John Cotton,^ many 
hundreds before himselfe, whom they within a very little time 
after called to the Office of a Teaching Elder of the Church 
of Christ at Boston, where hee now remaines, of whom as 
followeth: 

When Christ intends his glorious Kingdome shall 

Exalted be on Earth, he Earth doth take, 
Even sinful! Man to make his worthies all; 

Then praise I Man, no, Christ this Man doth make. 

* The early New England writers, e. g., Winthrop in his Journal, usually 
count March the first month of the year. 

* John Cotton (15S5-1653), fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, then 
vicar of St. Botolph's, Boston, fled from England before persecution by the Court 
of High Commission, and became the leading minister of Massachusetts. Of 
his many books, published in London, those alluded to in the ensuing verses 
seem to be The Churches Resurrection, or the Opening of the Fijt and Sixt Verses 
of the 20th Chap, of the Revelation (1G42), The Powring Out of the Seven Vials 
(1642), A Briefe Exposition of the Whole Book of Canticles or Song of Solomon 
(1642, second ed. 1648), The Keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven (1644), The Way 
of the Churches of Christ in New England (1645), and The Way of Congregational 
Churches Cleared (1648). The allusion in the last linos is to the fact that at first 
he was not ill affected toward Anne Hutchinson's teachings, though later, under 
pressure, he repudiated them and joined in silencing her. 



1633] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 89 

Sage, sober, grave, and learned Gotten, thou, 

Mighty in Scripture, without Booke repeat it, 
Annatomise the sence, and shew Man how 

Great mysteries in sentence short are seated, 
Gods Word with's word comparing oft unfould 

The secret truths. Johns Revelations hath 
By thee been open'd, as nere was of old; 

Shewes cleere and neere 'gainst Romes whore is Gods wrath. 
Then Churches of Christ, rejoyce and sing, 

John Gotten hath Gods minde, I dare believe, 
Since he from Gods Word doth his witnesse bring; 

Saints cries are heard, they shall no longer grieve. 
That song of songs, 'twixt Christ and's Church thou hast 

Twice taught to all, and sweetly shewed the way, 
Christ would his Churches should in truth stand fast, 

And cast oflf mans inventions even for aye. 
Thy labours great have met with catching cheats. 

Mixing their Brasse with thy bright Gold, for why? 
Thy great esteeme must cover their ill feates; 

Some soile thou gett'st, by comming them so nie, 
But it's wipt off, and thou Christs Champion left. 

The Faith to fight for, Christ hath arm'd thee well. 
His worthies would not, thou shoulds be bereft 

Of honours here thy Crown shall soon excell. 

These people of God having received these farther helps, 
to instruct, and build them up in the holy things of Christ, 
being now greatly incouraged, seeing the Lord was pleased 
to set such a broad Seale to their Commission for the worke 
in hand, not onely by his Word and Spirit moving thereunto, 
but also by his Providence in adding such able instruments 
for furthering this great worke of Reformation, and advanc- 
ing the Kingdome of Christ, for which they spent this day of 
rejoycing, and sure the Lord would have all that hear of it 
know, their joy lay not in the increase of Corne, or Wine, or 
Gyle, for of all these they had but very little at this time, 
yet did they not spare to lend such as they had unto the 
poore, who could not provide, and verily the joy ended not 
with the day, for these active instruments of Christ, Preaching 
with all instancy the glad Tidings of the Gospell of Jesus 
Christ, rejoyced the Heart of this People much. 



90 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1633 

Chap. XXVIII. 

Of the Eighth Church of Christ, gathered at Cambridge, 1633. 

At this time those who were in place of civill Government, 
having some addition Pillars to under-prop the building, 
began to thinke of a place of more safety in the eyes of Man, 
then the two frontire Towns of Charles Towne and Boston 
were for the habitation of such as the Lord had prepared to 
Governe this Pilgrim People. Wherefore they rather made 
choice to enter farther among the Indians, then hazard the 
fury of malignant adversaries, who in a rage might pursue 
them, and therefore chose a place scituate on Charles River, 
betweene Charles Towne, and Water-Towne, where they 
erected a Towne called New Towne, now named Cambridge,^ 
being in forme like a list cut off from the Broad-cloath of the 
two fore-named Towns, where this wandering Race of Jacobits 
gathered the eighth Church of Christ. This Town is compact 
closely within it selfe, till of late yeares some few stragling 
houses have been built. The Liberties of this Town have 
been inlarged of late in length,^ reaching from the most North- 
erly part of Charles River, to the most Southerly part of 
Merrimeck River, It hath well ordered streets and comly 
pompleated [compleated] with the faire building of Harver 
Colledge. Their first Pastor was the faithfull and laborious 
Mr. Hooker,^ whose Bookes are of great request among the 
faithfull people of Christ; Yee shall not misse of a few lines 
in remembrance of him. 

Come, Hooker, come forth of thy native soile: 
Christ, I will run, sayes Hooker, thou hast set 

My feet at large, here spend thy last dayes toile; 
Thy Rhetorick shall peoples affections whet. 

* The name was changed in 1638, on account of the founding of the college 
in 1636. 

* In 1644, by the grant of Shawshin. 

' Thomas Hooker (1586-1647), fellow of Emmanuel and lecturer at Chelms- 
ford, fled from persecution to New England, and became one of the chief of the 
New England divines, of tendencies more liberal than those of Cotton and Wil- 
son. In 1636 he and his colleague Stone took a leading part in the great migra- 



1633] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 91 

Thy Golden Tongue and Pen Christ caus'd to be 

The blazing of his golden truths profound, 
Thou sorry worme, its Christ wrought this in thee; 

What Christ hath wrought must needs be very sound. 
Then looke one [on] Hookers workes, they follow him 

To Grave, this worthy resteth there a while: 
Die shall he not that hath Christs warrier bin; 

Much lesse Christs Truth, cleer'd by his peoples toile. 
Thou Angell bright, by Christ for light now made, 

Throughout the World as seasoning salt to be. 
Although in dust thy body mouldering fade. 

Thy Head's in Heaven, and hath a crown for thee. 

The people of this Church and Towne have hitherto had 
the chiefest share in spirituall blessings, the Ministry of the 
Word, by more than ordinary instruments as in due time and 
place (God willing) you shall farther heare, yet are they at 
this day in a thriving condition in outward things also, both 
Corne and Cattell, Neate and Sheepe, of which they have a 
good flocke, which the Lord hath caused to thrive much in 
these latter dayes then formerly. 

This Towne was appointed to be the seate of Government, 
but it continued not long. This yeare a small gleane of Rye 
was brought to the Court as the first fruits of English graine,^ 
at which this poore people greatly rejoyced to see the Land 
would beare it, but now the Lords blessing that way hath 
exceeded all peoples expectation, cloathing the Earth with 
plenty of all kinde of graine. Here minde I must the Reader 
of the admirable acts of Christs Providence toward this people, 
that although they were in such great straites for foode, that 
many of them eate their Bread by waight, and had little 

tion from Newtown to the Connecticut valley, and in the foundation of the colony 
of Connecticut. As minister in Hartford, he exerted almost unbounded influ- 
ence in that colony till his death, while his Survey of the Summe of Church-Dis- 
cipline (London, 1648), posthumously pubHshed, remained the classical exposi- 
tion of the Congregational polity of New England. 

' But Wood, who left New England August 15, 1633, says. New Englands 
Prospect, p. 14: "there hath as good EngHsh Corne \i. e., grain] growne there, as 
could be desired; especially Rie and Oates, and Barly: there hath beene no great 
tryall as yet of Wheate, and Beanes"; and Winthrop, L 90, speaks of twenty 
acres of barley and oats at Lynn in 1632. 



92 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1633 

hopes of the Earths fruitfullnesse, yet the Lord Christ was 
pleased to refresh their spirits with such quickning grace, 
and Hvely affections to this Temple-worke, that they did 
not desert the place; and that which was more remark- 
able, when they had scarce houses to shelter themselves, 
and no doores to hinder the Indians accesse to all they 
had in them, yet did the Lord so awe their hearts, that 
although they frequented the Englishmens places of aboade, 
where their whole substance, weake Wives and little ones 
lay open to their plunder; during their absence, being whole 
dayes at Sabbath-Assemblies, yet had they none of their 
food or stuffe diminished, neither Children nor Wives hurt 
in the least measure, although the Indians came commonly 
to them at those times, much hungry belly (as they use 
to say) and were then in number and strength beyond the 
English by far. 

Yet further see the great and noble Acts of Christ toward 
this his wandering people; feeling againe the scarcity of foode, 
and being constrained to come to a small pittance daily, the 
Lord to provide for them, causeth the Deputy of Ireland to 
set forth a great Ship unknowne to this people, and indeed 
small reason in his own apprehensions why he should so do 
(but Christ will have it so.) This Ship ariving, being filled 
with food, the godly Governors did so order it that each 
Town sent two men aboard of her, who tooke up their Townes 
allowance, it being appointed before hand, what their portion 
should be, to this end that some might not by [buy] all, and 
others be left destitute of food. In the vernall of the yeare 
1634, This people being increased, and having among them 
many pretious esteemed instruments for furthering this won- 
derous worke of Christ, they began to thinke of fortifying a 
small Island about two miles distant from Boston to Sea- 
ward, to which all the Vessells come in usually and passe. 
To this end the honoured Mr. John W^inthrope, with some 8. 
or 10. persons of note, tooke boate and arrived on the said 
Island in a warme Sunshine day, just at the breaking up of 
Winter as they deemed, but being they were sudden surprised 
with a cold North-west storme (which is the sharpest winde 
in this Country) freezing very vehemently for a day and a 
night, that they could not get off the Island, but were forced 



1634] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 93 

to lodge there, and lie in a heape one upon another (on the 
ground) to keepe themselves from freezing/ 

This yeare 1634. the much honoured Thomas Dudly Esquire, 
was chosen Governor, and Mr. Roger Ludlow Deputy Governor, 
the Freemen added to this little Common-wealth this year were 
about two hundred and foure.^ About this time a sincere 
servant of Christ Mr. Stone ^ was added to the Church of Christ 
at New-towne, as a meet helpe to instruct the People of Christ 
there, with the above named Mr. Hooker, and as he hath hether- 
to bin (through the blessing of God) an able instrument in his 
hands to further the worke, So let him be incourraged with the 
Word of the Lord in the spirit of his might to go on. 

Thou well smoth'd Stone Christs work-manship to be, 

In's Church new laid his weake ones to support, 
With's word of might his foes are foild by thee; 

Thou daily dost to godlinesse exhort. 
The Lordly Prelates people do deny 

Christs Kingly power Hosanna to proclaime, 
Mens mouths are stopt, but Stone poore dust doth try, 

Throughout his Churches none but Christ must raigne. 
Mourne not Oh Man, thy youth and learning's spent 

In desart Land, My Muse is bold to say, 
For glorious workes Christ his hath hither sent; 

Like that great worke of Resurrection day. 

Chap. XXIX. 

Of the Lords remarkable providence toward his indeared ser- 
vants M. Norton and Mr. Shepherd. 

Now my loving Reader, let mee lead thee by the hand to 
our Native Land, although it was not intended to speake in 
particulars of any of these peoples departure from thence, 

* The episode is related somewhat differently, and doubtless more correctly, 
by Winthrop, Journal, I. 98, who gives the date as February 21, 1633, and the 
place to be examined as Nantasket, not Castle Island, fortification of which was 
begun in the summer of 1634. 

» More exactly, 232. 

* Samuel Stone, of Hertford in England, and of Emmanuel College, came 
out in the same ship with Hooker, was his colleague at Newtown (Cambridge), 
and removed with him to Connecticut, where Hartford was named after his 
birthplace. He died there in 1663. 



94 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1634 

purposing a generall relation should serve the turne, yet come 
with mee and behold the wonderous worke of Christ in pre- 
serving two of his most valiant Souldiers, namely Mr. John 
Norton, and that soule ravishing Minister Mr. Thomas Shep- 
heard/ who came this yeare to Yarmouth to ship themselves 
for New England, where the people of God resorted privately 
unto them to hear them Preach. During the time of their 
aboade the Enemies of Christs Kingdome were not wanting 
to use all meanes possible to intrap them, in which perilous 
condition they remained about two months, waiting for the 
Ships readinesse, in which time some persons eagerly hunting 
for Mr, Thomas Shepheard, began to plot (for apprehending 
of him) with a Boy of sixteene or seventeene yeares of Age, 
who lived in the House where hee Lodged, to open the doore 
for them at a certaine houre in the night ; But the Lord Christ, 
who is the Shepheard of Israel, kept a most sure watch over 
his indeared servants, for thus it befell, the sweet words of 
grace falling from the lips of this Reverend and godly Mr. 
Thomas Shepheard in the hearing of the Boy (the Lords 
working withall) hee was perswaded this was an holy man of 
God, and therefore with many troubled thoughts, began to 
relate [repent?] his former practice, although hee had a great 
some of money promised him, onely to let them in at the houre 
and time appointed; but the Boy, the more neere the time 
came, grew more pensive and sad, insomuch that his Master 
taking notice thereof began to question him about the cause of 
his heavinesse, who being unwilling to reveale the matter, 
held of[f] from confessing a long time, till by urgent and in- 
sinuating search of his godly Master, with teares hee tells 
that on such a night hee had agreed to let in Men to appre- 
hend the godly Preacher. The good Man of the house forth- 
with gave notice thereof unto them, who with the helpe of 
some well-affected persons was convay'd away by boate 

' John Norton became minister in Ipswich (see p. 103, post), and later suc- 
ceeded John Cotton in the Boston church. Of the early life and emigration of 
Thomas Shepard, a minister for whom Johnson had a particular affection, there 
is a most interesting account in his autobiography, printed in Young's Chronicles 
of Massachusetts, pp. 497-558. After graduating at Emmanuel College he had 
served as lecturer (independent preacher) at several different places till the 
Laudian persecution drove him to New England. 



1634] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 95 

through a back Lane. The men at the time appointed came 
to the house, where finding not the doore open (when they 
hfted up the Latch) as they expected, they thrust their staves 
under it to Hft it from the hookes, but being followed by some 
persons, whom the good man of the house had appointed for 
that end: yet were they boulstred out in this their wicked 
act by those who set them one [on] worke. Notwithstanding 
they were greatly ashamed when they mist of their end. 

But the Lord Christ intending to make his New England 
Souldiers the very wonder of this Age, brought them into 
greater straites, that this [his] Wonder working Providence 
might the more appeare in their deliverance, for comming a 
shipboard, and hoiseing saile to accomplish their Voyage, in 
little time after they were tossed and sore beaten with a con- 
trary winde, to the losse of the Ships upper worke, with which 
losse and great perill they were driven back againe, the Lord 
Christ intending to confirme their Faith in shewing them, 
that although they were brought back, as it were into the 
mouth of their enemies, yet hee could hide them from the 
hand of the Hunter, for the space of six moneths longer or 
thereabout, even till the Spring of the yeare following, at 
which time (God willing) you shall hear of them againe. In 
the meane time the Master, and other Sea men made a strange 
construction of the sore storme they met withall, saying, their 
Ship was bewitched, and therefore made use of the common 
Charme ignorant people use, nailing two red hot horse-shoos 
to their maine mast. But assuredly it was the Lord Christ, 
who hath command both of Winds and Seas, and now would 
have his people know he hath delivered, and will deliver 
from so great a death. 

Chap. XXX. 

Of the Ninth Church of Christ, gathered at Ipswitch. 

This year * came over a farther supply of Eminent instru- 
ments for furthering this admirable Worke of his, amongst 
whom the Reverend and judicious servant of Christ Mr. 
Nathaniel Ward, who tooke up his station at the Towne of 

» /. e., 1634. 



96 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1634 

Ipswich, where the faithfull servants of Christ gathered the 
Ninth Church of his. This Towne is scituated on a faire and 
delightfull River, whose first rise or spring begins about five 
and twenty Miles farther up in the Countrey, issuing forth a 
very pleasant pond. But soone after it betakes its course 
through a most hideous swamp of large extent, even for many 
Miles, being a great Harbour for Beares: after its comming 
forth this place, it groweth larger by the income of many 
small Rivers, and issues forth in the Sea, due East over against 
the Island of Sholes, a great place of fishing for our English 
Nation. The peopling of this Towne is by men of good 
ranke and quality, many of them having the yearly Revenue 
of large Lands in England before they came to this W^ilder- 
nesse, but their Estates being imployed for Christ, and left 
in banke, as you have formerly heard, they are well content 
till Christ shall be pleased to restore it againe to them or 
theirs, which in all reason should be out of the Prelates Lands 
in England. Let all those, whom it concernes (to judge) con- 
sider it well, and do Justice herein. 

This Towne lies in the Saggamooreship, or Earldome of 
Aggawam, now by our English Nation called Essex.* It is 
a very good Haven Towne, yet a little barr'd up at the Mouth 
of the River, some Marchants here are, (but Boston, being the 
chief est place of resort of Shipping, carries away all the Trade). 
They have very good Land for Husbandry, where Rocks 
hinder not the course of the Plow : the Lord hath been pleased 
to increase them in Corne and Cattell of late; Insomuch that 
they have many hundred quarters to spare yearly, and feed, 
at the latter end of Summer, the Towne of Boston with good 
Beefe: their Houses are many of them very faire built with 
pleasant Gardens and Orchards, consisting of about one hun- 
dred and forty Families. Their meeting-house is a very 
good prospect to a great part of the Towne, and beautifully 
built; the Church of Christ here consists of about one hun- 
dred and sixty soules, being exact in their conversation, and 
free from the Epidemicall Disease of all Reforming Churches, 
which under Christ is procured by their pious Learned and 

* The General Court in 1643 organized four shires or counties, Essex (north- 
ward from Boston to the Merrimac), Middlesex, Norfolk (northward from the 
Merrimac to the Piscataqua), and Suffolk (present Suffolk and Norfolk). 



1634] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 97 

Orthodox Ministery, as in due place (God willing) shall be de- 
clared, in the meane time, look on the following Meeters con- 
cerning that Souldier of Christ Master Nathaniel Ward/ 

Thou ancient Sage, come Ward among 

Christs folke, take part in this great worke of his, 
Why do'st thou stand and gaze about so long? 

Do'st war in jest? why, Christ in earnest is, 
And hath thee arm'd with weapons for that end, 

To wound and heale his enemies submitting, 
Not carnally; then to this worke attend. 

Thou hast prevail'd the hearts of many hitting. 
Although the Presbytery unpleasant jar. 

And errors daily in their braines new coyne, 
Despayer not; Christs truth they shall not mar, 

But with his helpe such drosse from Gold refine. 
What, Man, dost meane to lay thy Trumpet downe, 

Because thy son like Warrier is become? 
Hold out or sure lesse bright will be thy crowne; 

Till death Christs servants labour is not done. 

At this time came over the much honoured Mr. Richard 
Bellingham,^ whose Estate and person did much further the 
civill Government of this wandering people, hee being learned 
in the Lawes of England, and experimentally fitted for the 
worke, of whom I am bold to say as followeth: 

Richardus now arise must thou, Christ seed [feed ?] hath thee to plead 
His peoples cause, with equall Laws, in wildernesse them lead; 

Though slow of speech,^ thy counsell reach, shall each occation well. 
Sure thy sterne looke it cannot brook those wickedly rebell. 

* Nathaniel Ward, the celebrated and humorous author of The Simple Cob- 
ler of Aggawam (London, 1647), was another Emmanuel College man, and 
another victim of Laud. He resigned his Ipswich pastorate in 1636. Trained 
in youth as a lawyer, he was the author of the Body of Liberties, the first Massa- 
chusetts code of laws. In 1647 he returned to England, and died there. His son 
John, also of Emmanuel, became pastor of Haverhill in 1645; see post, bk. in., 
ch. I. 

* Bellingham was recorder (municipal judge) of Boston, England, from 1625 
to 1633, and was chosen governor of Massachusetts in 1641, in 1654, and in 1665. 
He was a learned lawyer, and useful to the colony, but difiicult in temper. He 
was one of the original grantees of the patent. 

* The historian Hubbard says that he was "like a vessel whose vent holdeth 
no good proportion with its capacity." 



98 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1634 

With labours might, thy pen indite doth Lawes for peoples learning, 
That judge with skill, and not with will, unarbitrate discerning; 

Bellingham thou, on valiant now, stop not in discontent. 

For Christ with crown, will thee renown, then spend for him, be spent; 

As thou hast done thy race still run till death, no death shall stay 
Christs work of might, till Scripture light bring Resurection day. 

As also about this time for further incouragement in this 
work of Christ, hee sent over the Reverend servant of his Mr. 
Lothrop ^ to helpe on with the planting of Plimoth, which in- 
creased but little all this time, although shee be the elder 
sister of all the united Colonies; Some reasons in due place 
may be rendered. This Reverend Minister was soone called 
to Office by the Church of Christ at Scicuate [Scituate]. 

Chap. XXXI. 

Of the Church of Christ gathered at Newberry. 

In the latter end of this yeare, two sincere servants of 
Christ, inabled by him with gifts to declare his minde unto his 
people, came over this broad Ocean, and began to build the 
Tenth Church of Christ at a Towne called Newberry, their 
names being Mr. James Noise, and Mr. Thomas Parker,' 
somewhat differing from all the former, and after mentioned 
Churches in the preheminence of their Presbytery, and it 
were to be wished that all persons, who have had any hand in 
those hot contentions, which have fallen out since about 
Presbyterian and Independent Government in Churches,' 
would have looked on this Example, comparing it with the 
Word of God, and assuredly it would have stayed (all the godly 
at lest) of either part from such unworthy expressions as have 

* Rev. John Lothrop, ancestor of John Lothrop Motley. 

' Noyes and Parker were cousins, from Newbury in England. They upheld 
at Newbury a partially Presbyterian polity, but not factiously. The book of 
Parker's to which allusion is made in the ensuing verses is probably The Visions 
and Prophecies of Daniel Expounded (London, 1646). 

* The sessions of the Westminster Assembly, beginning in 1643, and the sub- 
sequent struggles between the Presbyterians in Parliament and the Independents 
of the army gave rise to the controversial literature here alluded to — Ruther- 
ford's Due Right of Presbyteries on the one hand. Cotton's and Hooker's treatises 
on the other, etc. 



1634] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 99 

passed, to the grief of many of Gods people ; And I doubt not 
but this History will take of[f] that unjust accusation, and 
slanderous imputation of the rise of that floud of errors and 
false Doctrines sprung up of late, as flowing from the Inde- 
pendent or rather congregationall Churches. But to follow 
on, this Town is scituate about twelve miles from Ipswitch, 
neere upon the wide venting streames of Merrimeck River, 
whose strong current is such, that it hath forced its passage 
through the mighty Rocks, which causeth some sudden falls, 
and hinders Shipping from having any accesse far into the 
Land. Her bankes are in many places stored with Oken 
Timber of all sorts, of which, that which they commonly 
caird white Oke, is not inferiour to our English Timber; in 
this River lie some few Islands of fertill Land. This Towne 
is stored with Meddow and upland, which hath caused some 
Gentlemen, (who brought over good Estates, and finding then 
no better way to improve them) to set upon husbandry, 
amongst whom that Religious and sincere hearted servant 
of Christ Mr. Richard Dummer, sometime a Magistrate in 
this little Common-wealth, hath holpen on this Town. Their 
houses are built very scattering, which hath caused some 
contending about removall of their place for Sabbath-Assem- 
blies. Their Cattell are about foure hundred head, with store 
of Corne-land in tillage. It consists of about seventy Fam- 
ilies, the soules in Church fellowship are about an hundred; 
the teaching Elders of this Congregation have carried it very 
lovingly toward their people, permitting of them to assist in 
admitting of persons into Church-society, and in Church- 
censures, so long as they Act regularly, but in case of their 
male-administration, they assume the power wholly to them- 
selves. Their godly life and conversation hath hitherto 
been very amiable, and their paines and care over their flock 
not inferiour to many others, and being bound together in a 
more stricter band of love then ordinary with promise to spend 
their dayes together (if the Lord please) and therefore shall 
not be disunited in the following Verse: 

Loe here Loves twinnes by Christ are sent to Preach 

In wildernesse his little flock among; 
Though Christs Church-way you fully cannot reach, 

So far hold fast as you in's word are strong. 



100 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1634 

Parker thy paines with Pen, and Preaching hath 

Roomes buildings left in Prelacy cast downe, 
Though 'gainst her thou defer Gods finall wrath, 

Keepe warring still, and sure thou shalt have crowne. 
Thy Brother thou, oh Noise, hast holpe to guide 

Christ tender Lambs within his fold to gather, 
From East to West, thou dost Chris ts Warrier bide; 

Faint not at last, increase thy fighting rather. 



Chap. XXXII. 

Of good supply, and seasonable helpes the Lord Christ was 
pleased to send to further his Wildernesse worke, and par- 
ticular for his Churches of Charles Towne, and Ipswich, 
and Dorchester. 

Yet farther for the incouragement of the people of Christ 
in these their weak beginnings, he daily brings them in 
fresh supplies, adding this yeare also the reverend and pain- 
full Minister of his Gospell Mr. Zachary Simmes,^ who was 
invited soone after his comming over to assist in planting of 
another Church of Christ, but the place being remote from 
the pretious servants of Christ already setled, he chose rather 
to joyne with some Church among them, and in a short space 
after hee was called to the Office of a Teaching Elder in the 
Church of Christ at Charles Towne, together with Mr. James, 
who was then their Pastor, as you have formerly heard. 
Among all the godly Women that came through the perilous 
Seas to war their warfare, the wife of this zealous Teacher, 
Mrs. Sarah Simmes shall not be omitted, nor any other, but 
to avoid tediousnesse, the vertuous Woman, indued by Christ 
with graces fit for a Wildernesse condition, her courage ex- 
ceeding her stature, with much cheerfulnesse did undergoe 
all the difficulties of these times of straites, her God through 
Faith in Christ supplying all her wants with great industry, 
nurturing up her young Children in the feare of the Lord, 
their number being ten both Sons and Daughters, a certaine 

' A Canterbury man, son of a clergyman, bom there in the same year aa 
Johnson, and for whom the latter as a Charlestown parishioner had a special 
affection. 



1635] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 101 

signe of the Lords intent to people this vast Wildernesse: 
God grant they may be vahant in Faith against Sin, Satan 
and all the enemies of Christs Kingdome, following the ex- 
ample of their Father, and Grandfather, who have both suf- 
fered for the same, in remembrance of whom these following 
lines are placed. 

Come Zachary, thou must reedifie 

Christ Churches in this Desart Land of his, 
With Moses zeale stampt unto dust defie 

All crooked wayes that Christ true worship misse. 
With spirits sword and armor girt about, 

Thou lay'st on load proud Prelates crowne to crack. 
And wilt not suffer Wolfes thy flock to rout, 

Though close they creepe, with sheepe skins on their back. 
Thy Fathers spirit doubled is upon 

Thee Simmes, then war, thy Father fighting died, 
In prayer then prove thou like Champion; 

Hold out till death, and Christ will crown provide. 

After these poore people had welcomed with great joy their 
newcome Guests, all of a sudden they spy two tall Ships, 
whose colours shewed them to be some forrein Nation, at which 
time this little handfull of people began to be much troubled, 
deeming them to be Rovers, they gathered together such 
forces as their present condition would afford, very ill- 
fitted as then to rescue an enemy, but their Lord and Master 
Christ Jesus would not suffer any such to come, and instead 
of enemies brought in friends, even Dutchmen to furnish them 
with farther necessary Provision.^ 

For the yeare 1635. the honoured Mr. John Haines was 
chosen Governour, and the honoured Mr. Richard Belling- 
ham Deputy Governour, the number of Free-men added to 
this little Common-wealth, were about one hundred forty 
and five. The time now approaching, wherein the Lord 
Christ would have his people come from the Flaile to the Fan, 
threshing out much this yeare, increasing the number of his 
Troopes, and valiant Leaders, the Ships came thicker and 
faster filled with many worthy personages; Insomuch that 
the former people began to forget their Poverty, and verily 

» See Winthrop, I., 151, 152. 



102 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1635 

could Purity, Peace and Plenty run all in one channell, Gods 
people here should sure have met with none other, but the 
still waters of Peace and Plenty for back and belly soone 
contract much mudde, as you shall heare (God willing) in 
the following History: this yeare came in the honoured Sir 
Henry Vaine,^ who aboad not long in this worthy worke, yet 
mind him I will in the following Lines. 

Sir Henry Vaine once Governour of the English People in New 

England. 

Thy Parents, Vaine, of worthy fame, in Christ and thou for him 
Through Ocean wide in new world tri[e]d a while his warrior bin. 

W^ith small defeat thou didst retreat to Brittaine ground againe, 
There stand thou stout, for Christ hold out, Christs Champion ay 
remaine. 

Also at this time Christ sent over the much honoured 
and upright hearted servant of his Richard Saltingstall 
Esquire, Son to the before-named Sir Richard Saltingstall, 
who being weary of this Wildernesse worke, returned home 
againe not long before,^ and now his Son being chose to the 
Ofhce of a Magistrate, continued for some good space of time, 
helping on the affaires of this little Common- wealth, to the 
honour of Christ, who hath called him: both Father and Son 
are here remembred. 

Thou worthy Knight, Saltingstall hight, her's gaine doth gOxd exceed, 

Then trifle not, its to be got, if thou can'st see thy neede. 
Why wilt thou back, and leave as wreck, this worthy worke begun, 

Art thou back-bore, Christ will send more, and raise instead thy son. 
His Fathers gon, young Richard on here valiantly doth War, 

For Christ his truth, to their great Ruth, Heathens opposers are: 
To study thou thy mind dost bow, and daily good promote, 

Saltingstall why then dost thou fly, let all Gods people note 

•Sir Henry Vane the younger (1612-1662), son of a diplomatist and states- 
man, came to Massachusetts, a very young man, in 1635. A few months later he 
was elected governor. In the Antinomian controversy he took the other side 
from Winthrop and the orthodox majority. Defeated in a closely contested 
election in the spring of 1637, he went home that summer. His career in the 
Long Parliament was a brilliant and noble one, and finally he came to be its 
joxei leader. He was executed as a regicide after the accession of Charles II. 

• See p. 74. The younger Saltonstall became an assistant in 1637. 



1635] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 103 

That thou wilt stand in thy own Land, Christ there then strengthen 
thee, 
With grace thee heate, that thy retreate may for his glory be: 
At ending day, he thee array with Glory will not faile, 
Breaking graves bands, with his strong hands, and free dust from 
death's goale [gaol]. 

Among these Troopes of Christs Souldiers, came at this 
time, the godly servant of Christ Mr. Roger Harlackenden,' 
a young Gentleman valiant in Faith, and appointed by Christ 
to assist his people in this Desart, he was chose to the Office 
of a Magistrate, as also to be a choise Leader of their Military 
Forces, which as yet were but in a strange posture; And 
therefore till the yeare 1644. (at which time the Countrey was 
really placed in a posture of War, to be in a readinesse at all 
times) there shall not be any thing spoken concerning their 
Military Discipline ^ the continuance of this Souldier of Christ 
was but short, the Lord taking him to rest with himselfe. 

Harlackenden, among these men of note Christ hath thee seated : 
In warlike way Christ thee aray with zeal, and love well heated. 

As generall belov'd of all, Christ Souldiers honour thee: 

In thy young yeares, courage appeares, and kinde benignity. 

Short are thy days spent to his praise, whose Church work thou must 
aid, 
His work shall bide, silver tride, but thine by death is staid. 

The number of Ministers that came over this years was 
about eleaven, and many other like faithfull servants of Christ, 
among whom arrived those two Reverend and laborious ser- 
vants of his Mr. Norton, and Mr. Shepheard, of whose narrow 
escape you have heard the last yeare: Mr. Norton was called 
to the Office of a Teaching Elder, at the Towne of Ipswich to 
the Church of Christ there, where Mr. Warde as yet remained 
in Office. Also the learned labours of this Souldier of Christ 
are obvious to our Countreymen; hee Preaching there, the 
blessing of God hath not onely built up many in the Knowl- 
edge of Christ, but also been the meanes of converting diverse 

* A son of a rich landholder at Earl's Colne in Essex, where Shepard had 
been minister, assistant from 1636 till his death in 1638, and chosen in 1636 
lieutenant-colonel of the Middlesex regiment. 

* See bk. n., ch. xxvi. 



104 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1635 

soules, turning them from the power of Satan to Faith in 
Christ, whom the Lord long continue; you shall further hear 
of Christs gratious assisting of him in the first and last Synod 
holden here at Cambridge, and in the meane time let no man 
be offended that the Author quickens up his own dull affec- 
tions, in telling how largely the Lord hath bestowed his Graces 
upon these Instruments of his, although sinfull dust and ashes. 

Thou Noble Norton, who art honoured by 

Thy Christ, with learned Arguments doth fill 
Thy mouth with might new errors to destroy, 

And force deceivers silently to yeild. 
W^eake dust, waite on thy Christ for further strength, 

Who doth his Davids make as Angels bright, 
To trample down his enemies at length; 

All breake or bow unto his Kingdomes might 
lUettered Men and Women that doe love 

Preheminence, condemne thy learned skill, 
But Christ hath given his blessing from above 

Unto thy workes the World with light to fill. 
Christs faithfull servants met in Synod, take 

Thee for their Pen-men [Pen-man] Scriptures light to cleere, 
With Scripture shew what Government Christ gave 

To's Churches till himselfe againe appeare.^ 

Here my indeared Reader, I must mind thee of the indus- 
trious servant of Christ Mr. John Wilson, who this yeare 
landed the third time upon this American shore from his 
Native Country, where now againe by the Divine Providence 
of Christ, hee narrowly escaped the Hunters hands, being 
cloathed in a Country-mans habit, passing from place to place, 
declared to the people of God, what great Workes Christ had 
already done for his people in New England, which made 
many Christian soules long to see these admirable Acts of 
Christ, although it were not to be injoyed, but by passing 
through an Ocean of troubles, Voyaging night and day upon 
the great deep, which this zealous servant of Christ had now 
five times passed over: at this time came over the Sage, 

*The allusion is to Norton's reply to Rev. William Apollonius of Middel- 
burg in Zeeland, which Norton wrote at the request of the Cambridge Synod of 
1647, Responsio ad Totam Quaestionum Syllogen a clarissimo Viro Dom. GuUielmo 
AjfoUonio propositam (London, 1648). 



1635] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 105 

grave, reverend and faithfull servant of Christ M. Richard 
Mather/ indued by the Lord with many Heavenly gifts, of a 
plaine and upright spirit, apt to teach, full of gratious expres- 
sions, and Resolvedly bent to follow the truth, as it is in Jesus, 
hee was anon after his comming called to Office in the Church of 
Christ at the Towne of Dorchester, to assist in the Worke of the 
Lord, with Mr. Mavareck, whose worke not long after was ended 
by death, leaving Mr. Mather alone to continue the same. 

With cheerfuU face Mather doth toile indure, 

In wildernesse spending the prime of s age, 
To build Christs Churches, and soules health procure; 

In battell thou dost deepe thyselfe ingage. 
Marvell not Man that Mather through an host 

Of enemies doth breake, and fighting stands, 
It's Christ him keepes, of him is all his boast, 

Who power gives to do, and then commands. 
With gratious speech thy Masters Message thou 

Declarest to all, and wouldst have submit, 
That to his Kingdome every knee might bow; 

But those resist his sword shall surely hit. 
Till age doth crown thy head with hory hairs, 

Well hast thou warr'd, till Mathers young againe, 
Thy son in fight his Fathers strength repayers; 

Father and Son beate down Christs foes amaine. 

Chap. XXXIIL 

Of the beginning of the Churches of Christ, to he planted at 
Canectico, and first of the Church of Christ removall to 
Hartford, 1635. 

This yeare the servants of Christ, who peopled the Towne 
of Cambridge, were put upon thoughts of removing, hearing 
of a very fertill place upon the River of Canectico,^ low Land, 
and well stored with Meddow, which is greatly in esteeme 

* Richard Mather, minister at Toxteth, near Liverpool, from 1618 to 1634, 
and at Dorchester, Massachusetts, from 1636 to 1669, was the father of Increase 
Mather, president of Harvard College, and grandfather of Cotton Mather (whose 
maternal grandfather was John Cotton). He has left an interesting account of 
his voyage to New England, printed in Young's Chronicles of Massachusetta. 

* Connecticut. 



106 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1635 

with the people of New England, by reason the Winters are 
very long. This people seeing that Tillage went but little on, 
Resolved to remove, and breed up store of Cattell, which were 
then at eight and twenty pound a Cow, or neare upon,^ but 
assuredly the Lord intended far greater matters than man 
purposes, but God disposes. These men, having their hearts 
gone from the Lord [Land], on which they were seated, soone 
tooke dislike at every little matter; the Plowable plaines 
were too dry and sandy for them, and the Rocky places, al- 
though more fruitfull, yet to eate their bread with toile of 
hand and how [hoe] they deemed it unsupportable ; And 
therefore they onely waited now for a people of stronger 
Faith then themselves were to purchase their Houses and 
Land, which in conceipt they could no longer live upon, and 
accordingly they met with Chapmen,^ a people new come, 
who having bought their possessions, they highed them away 
to their new Plantation. With whom went the Grave and 
Reverend servant of Christ Mr. Hooker, and Mr. Stone, for 
indeed the whole Church removed, as also the much hon- 
oured Mr. Haynes and divers other men of note. For the 
place, being out of the Mattacusets Patten, they erected 
another Government, called by the Indian name, Canectico, 
being farther incouraged by two honourable personages, the 
Lord Say, and Lord Brookes, who built a Forrest [Fort] 
at the moutii of the River, and called it Say-brook Forrest 
[Fort]: passing up the River, they began to build a Towne, 
which they called Hartford, where this Church of Christ sat 
down their station.^ There went to these parts also the 
Reverend Mr. Wareham, and divers from the Towne of 
Dorchester. The place of setling themselves, and erecting 
a Towne was far up on the River, the part next the Sea 
being very Rocky, but on the banke of this River they 
planted the good Towne of Hartford, and established 
civill Government: of their gathering into a Church, you 
have formerly heard. Onely here minde the gratious ser- 
vant of Christ, Mr. Wareham, whose long labours in this 
worke are exprest. 

'See also Bradford, p. 347, and Winthrop, I., 112. * Purchasers. 

*The founders of Hartford went overland to the Connecticut valley; and 
the fort at Saybrook was built after their migration, not before. 



1636J OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 107 

With length of dayes Christ crowned hath thy head. 

In Wildernesse to manage his great War, 
'Gainst Antichrist by strength of him art lead 

W^ith steady hand to sling thy stone from far. 
That groveling in his gore may lie smit downe 

This mighty Monster, that the Earth hath taken, 
With's poysons sweet in cup of Gold drunke down; 

Dead drunke those lie whom Christ doth not awaken. 
But Warehara thou by him art sent to save, 

With's word of truth Christ to their soules apply, 
That deadly sin hath laid in rotting Grave 

Dead, live in Christ here, and Eternally. 



Chap. XXXIV. 

Of Cambridge second Church, being the 11. of Christ gathered 
in the Mattacusets, and of further supply for Salem Church. 

These people and Church of Christ being thus departed 
from New-towne, the godly people, who came in their roomes, 
gathered the eleaventh Church of Christ, and called to the Office 
of a Pastor, that gratious sweete Heavenly minded, and soule- 
ravishing Minister, Mr. Thomas Shepheard, in whose soule 
the Lord shed abroad his love so abundantly, that thousands 
of souls have cause to blesse God for him, even at this very 
day, who are the Seale of his Ministrey, and hee a man of a 
thousand, indued with abundance of true saving knowledge 
for himselfe and others, yet his naturall Parts were weake, 
but spent to the full as followeth: 

No hungry Hawkes poore Patridge to devoure 

More eager is, then Prelates Nimrod power 
Thomas to hunt, my Shephard sweet pursue 

To seas brinke, but Christ saves his soule for you; 
Sending thee, Shepheard, safe through Seas awaie. 

To feede his flock unto thy ending day, 
Where (sheepe seek wolves) thy bosome lambs would catch; 

But night and day thou ceasest not to watch 
And warne with teares thy flock of cheaters vile, 

Who in sheepes cloathing would the weak beguile; 
With dropping dewes from thy lips Christ hath made 

Thy hearers eyes oft water springing blade. 



108 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1635 

With pierced hearts they cry aloud and say, 

Shew us, sweet Shepheard, our salvations way, 
Thy lovely speech such ravishment doth bring; 

Christ gives thee power to heale as well as sting. 
Thou gates sets ope for Christ thy King to enter. 

In hearts of many spirits joy to center. 
But mourne my Muse, hang downe thy head with woe, 

With teares, sighs, sobs lament thy Shepheard so.^ 
(WTiy ?) hee's in Heaven, but I one [on] Earth am left, 

More Earthly, 'cause of him I am bereft. 
Oh Christ why dost thou Shepheard take away. 

In erring times when sheepe most apt to stray. 

The many Souldiers and Officers of Christ that came 
over this yeare, moved some wonder in the mindes of those, 
whom he had beene pleased to give a great measure of 
discerning, yet here they fell abundantly short, deeming 
almost an impossibility of improving their Talents in this 
Wildernesse, the Indian-people being uncapable of under- 
standing their Language, the Englishe congregations that 
were already set downe being fully furnished with Teach- 
ing Elders, and that which was most strange they were 
perswaded they should meet with no enemies to oppose 
them, as if Christ would lead them forth into the Field 
in vaine. But Christ Jesus, having the hearts of all Men 
opened before him, soon shewed them their worke, and 
withall made roome for them to set downe, I [ay] and many 
more beside, yea, and beyond expectation made this poore 
barren Wildernesse become a fruitful] Land unto them that 
waited on him for the accomplishing thereof, feeding them 
with the flower of Wheat, as in its time and place (God 
willing) shall be shewed, although it pleased him this yeare 
to visit them, and try them againe with a great scarcity 
of Bread, by reason of the multitude that came brought 
somewhat shorter Provisions then ordinary, which caused them 
to be in some straites. But their Lord Christ gives out a 
Word of command to those, who occupy their businesse in 
the great deepe, to furnish from Ireland some Ships laden 
with food for his people. 

> Shepard died in 1649. 



1635] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 109 

Also hee commands the Winds and the Seas to beare up 
these Ships, and blow them forth on their way, till they arrive 
among his people in New England, whose appetities were 
now sharpeset for Bread. One poore man among others 
deeming hee had found out some forsaken Barnes of the 
Indians (whose manner is to lay up their Corne in the Earth), 
lighted one [on] a grave where finding bones of the dead instead 
of Corne, hee was taken with feare of this, as a sad omen that 
hee should then die for want of food, but in this hee proved 
no true Prophet, for the Lord was pleased to bring in season- 
able supply, and the man is living at this very day. This 
yeere came over the Famous servant of Christ M. Hugh 
Peters,^ whose courage was not inferiour to any of these 
transported servants of Christ, but because his native Soile 
hath had the greatest share of his labours, the lesse will be 
said of him here; hee was called to Office by the Church of 
Christ, at Salem, their former Pastor the Reverend M. Hig- 
gingson, having ended his labours resting with the Lord. 

With courage bold Peters a Souldier stout 

In Wildernesse for Christ begins to war, 
Much worke he finds 'mongst people, yet hold out; 

With fluent tongue he stops phantastick jar. 
Swift Torrent stayes of liberties large vent, 

Through crooked wayes of error daily flowing, 
Shiloes soft streames to bath in would all bent; 

Should he while they in Christian freedome growing. 
But back thou must, thy Tallents Christ will have 

Improved for him, his glory is thy crowne, 
And thou base dust till he thee honour gave; 

It matters not though the world on thee do frown. 

' Rev. Hugh Peter or Peters was already a famous man at the time of his 
arrival in New England. He had lately been pastor of the English church in 
Rotterdam. His six years in the colony were marked by activity and influence 
on the illiberal side in church controversies, but also by great energy in the pro- 
motion of practical schemes for the economic betterment of the colony. Return- 
ing to England in 1641, he took a leading part, as preacher and politician, among 
the Independents. In 1660, after the return of Charles II., he was executed for 
high treason as having been concerned in the beheading of Charles I. 



110 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

Chap. XXXV. 
Of the Twelfth Church of Christ gathered at Concord. 

Yet further at this time entered the Field two more valiant 
Leaders of Christs Souldiers, holy men of God, Mr. Buckly 
and M. Jones, penetrating further into this Wildernesse then 
any formerly had done, with divers other servants of Christ: 
they build an Inland Towne which they called Concord, 
named from the occasion of the present time, as you shall 
after heare : ^ this Towne is seated upon a f aire fresh River, 
whose Rivulets are filled with fresh Marsh, and her streames 
with Fish, it being a branch of that large River of Merrimeck. 
Allwifes and Shad in their season come up to this Towne, but 
Salmon and Daice cannot come up by reason of the Rocky 
falles, which causeth their Meddowes to lie much covered with 
water, the which these people together with their Neighbour 
Towne, have severall times assayed to cut through but cannot, 
yet it may be turned another way with an hundred pound charge, 
as it appeared. This Towne was more populated once then 
now it is. Some faint-hearted Souldiers among them fearing 
the Land would prove barren, sold their possessions for little, 
and removed to a new Plantation, (which have most com- 
monly a great prize set on them). The number of Families at 
present are about 50. their buildings are conveniently placed 
chiefly in one straite streame [streete] under a sunny banke in 
a low levell, their heard of great Cattell are about 300. The 
Church of Christ here consists of about seventy soules, their 
teaching Elders were Mr. Buckly,^ and Mr. Jones, who removed 
from them with that part of the people, who went away, so 
that onely the reverend grave and godly Mr. Buckly remaines. 

Riches and honours Buckly layes aside 

To please his Christ, for whom he now doth war, 

Why Buckly thou hast Riches that will bide, 
And honours that exceeds Earths honour far. 

' The name is understc^d to have been given to the town on account of the 
peaceful agreement with the Indians for its purchase. 

* Rev. Peter Bulkley, fellow of St. John's College, and a minister silenced 
for non-conformity, had, says Cotton Mather, "a good benefice, added unto the 
estate of a gentleman, left him by his father," a doctor of divinity in Bedford- 



1636] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 111 

Thy bodies [body's] worne, and dayes in Desert spent 

To feede a few of Christs poore scattered sheepe; 
Like Christ's bright body, thy poore body, rent, 

With Saints and Angells company shall keepe. 
Thy Tongue, and Pen doth to the World declare 

Christs covenant with his flock shall firmly stand, 
WTien Heavens and Earth by him dissolved are; 

Then who can hold from this his worke at hand? 
Two Bucklies more Christ by his grace hath taken, 

And sent abroad to manage his great wars. 
It's Buklies joy that Christ his sons new making, 

Hath placest [placed] in's churches for to shine as Stars. 

This holy and sincere servant of Christ was put upon the 
greater tryall, by reason he and his were tenderly brought up, 
and now by the provident hand of Christ were carried far 
into this desert land, where they met with some hardships for 
a long time; till the place was well peopled, they lived barely. 

Chap. XXXVI. 

Of the laborious worke Christ's people have in planting this 
wildernesse, set forth in the building the Towne of Concord, 
being the first in-land Towne. 

Now because it is one of the admirable acts of Christ['s] 
Providence in leading his people forth into these Westerne 
Fields, in his providing of Huts for them, to defend them from 
the bitter stormes this place is subject unto, therefore here is 
a short Epitome of the manner how they placed downe their 
dwellings in this Desart Wildernesse, the Lord being pleased 
to hide from the Eyes of his people the difficulties they are to 
encounter withall in a new Plantation, that they might not 
thereby be hindered from taking the worke in hand; upon 
some inquiry of the Indians, who lived to the North-west of 
the Bay, one Captaine Simon Willard being acquainted with 

shire. The book alluded to in the verses is The Gospel Covenant, or the Covenant 
of Grace Opened (London, 1646); the two sons (he had twelve), Rev. Edward 
Bulkley, his successor in the Concord church, and Rev. John Bulkley, who after 
graduating in the first class of Harvard College (1642) went to England and min- 
istered to a church in Essex till deprived by the Act of Uniformity. 



112 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

them, by reason of his Trade, became a chiefe instrument in 
erecting this Town, the land they purchase of the Indians, 
and with much difficulties traveling through unknowne woods, 
and through watery scrampes [swampes], they discover the 
fitnesse of the place, sometimes passing through the Thickets, 
where their hands are forced to make way for their bodies 
passage, and their feete clambering over the crossed Trees, 
which when they missed they sunke into an uncertaine bottome 
in water, and wade up to the knees, tumbling sometimes 
higher and sometimes lower, wearied with this toile, they at 
end of this meete with a scorching plaine, yet not so 
plaine, but that the ragged Bushes scratch their legs fouly, 
even to wearing their stockings to their bare skin in two or 
three houres; if they be not otherwise well defended with 
Bootes, or Buskings, their flesh will be torne: (that some 
being forced to passe on without further provision) have had 
the bloud trickle downe at every step, and in the time of 
Summer the Sun casts such a reflecting heate from the sweet 
Feme, whose scent is very strong so that some herewith have 
beene very nere fainting, although very able bodies to under- 
goe much travell, and this not to be indured for one day, but 
for many, and verily did not the Lord incourage their naturall 
parts (with hopes of a new and strange discovery, expecting 
every houre to see some rare sight never seene before) they 
were never able to hold out, and breake through: but above 
all, the thirsting desires these servants of Christ have had to 
Plant his Churches, among whom the forenamed Mr. Jones ^ 
shall not be forgotten. 

In Desart's depth where Wolves and Beares abide, 

There Jones sits down a wary watch to keepe, 
O're Christs deare flock, who now are wandered wide; 

But not from him, whose eyes ne're close with sleepe. 
Surely it sutes thy melanchoUy minde, 

Thus solitary for to spend thy dayes, 
Much more thy soule in Christ content doth finde, 

To worke for him, who thee to joy will raise. 

' After about eight years John Jones, pastor of the Concord church (which 
had found it difficult to maintain two "teaching elders"), removed to Fairfield, 
Connecticut, where he died in 1665. His son John (A. B. Harvard, 1643) went 
to preach in the island of Nevis in the West Indies. 



1636] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 113 

Leading thy son to Land, yet more remote, 
To feede his flock upon this Westerne wast: 

Exhort him then Christs Kingdome to promote; 
That he with thee of lasting joyes may tast. 

Yet farther to tell of the hard labours this people found in 
Planting this Wildernesse, after some dayes spent in search, 
toyling in the day time as formerly is said; like true Jacob, 
its ^ they rest them one [on] the Rocks where the night takes 
them, their short repast is some small pittance of Bread, if it 
hold out, but as for Drinke they have plenty, the Countrey 
being well watered in all places that yet are found out. Their 
farther hardship is to travell, sometimes they know not whether, 
bewildred indeed without sight of Sun, their compasse mis- 
carrying in crouding through the Bushes, they sadly search 
up and down for a known way, the Indians paths being not 
above one foot broad, so that a man may travell many dayes 
and never find one. But to be sure the directing Providence 
of Christ hath beene better unto them than many paths, as 
might here be inserted, did not hast call my Pen away to more 
waighty matters; yet by the way a touch thus, it befell with 
a servant maide, who was travelling about three or foure 
miles from one Towne to another, loosing her selfe in the 
Woods, had very diligent search made after her for the space 
of three dayes, and could not possible be found, then being 
given over as quite lost, after three dayes and nights, the 
Lord was pleased to bring her feeble body to her own home 
in safety, to the great admiration of all that heard of it.^ 
This intricate worke no whit daunted these resolved servants 
of Christ to goe on with the worke in hand, but lying in the 
open aire, while the watery Clouds poure down all the night 
season, and sometimes the driving Snow dissolving on their 
backs, they keep their wet cloathes warme with a continued 
fire, till the renewed morning give fresh opportunity of further 
travell; after they have thus found out a place of aboad, 
they burrow themselves in the Earth for their first shelter 
under some Hill-side, casting the Earth aloft upon Timber; 
they make a smoaky fire against the Earth at the highest side, 

* Misprint for Jacobites. See p. 74, n. 1, ante. 
' See Winthrop's Journal, I. 98. 



114 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

and thus these poore servants of Christ provide shelter for 
themselves, their Wives and little ones, keeping oE the short 
showers from their Lodgings, but the long raines penetrate 
through, to their great disturbance in the night season: yet 
in these poore Wigwames they sing Psalmes, pray and praise 
their God, till they can provide them houses, which ordi- 
narily was not wont to be with many till the Earth, by the 
Lords blessing, brought forth Bread to feed them, their Wives 
and little ones, which with sore labours they attaine every one 
that can lift a hawe [hoe] to strike it into the Earth, standing 
stoutly to their labours, and teare up the Rootes and Bushes, 
which the first yeare beares them a very thin crop, till the soard 
[sward] of the Earth be rotten, and therefore they have been 
forced to cut their bread very thin for a long season. But the 
Lord is pleased to provide for them great store of Fish in the 
spring time, and especially Alewives about the bignesse of a 
Herring; many thousands of these, they used to put under 
their Indian Corne, which they plant in Hills five foote asunder, 
and assuredly when the Lord created this Corne, hee had a 
speciall eye to supply these his peoples wants with it, for or- 
dinarily five or six graines doth produce six hundred. 

As for flesh they looked not for any in those times (al- 
though now they have plenty) unlesse they could barter with 
the Indians for Venison or Rockoons,^ whose flesh is not 
much inferiour unto Lambe, the toile of a new Plantation 
being like the labours of Hercules never at an end, yet are 
none so barbarously bent (under the Mattacusets especially) 
but with a new Plantation they ordinarily gather into Church- 
fellowship, so that Pastors and people suffer the inconveni- 
ences together, which is a great meanes to season the sore 
labours they undergoe, and verily the edge of their appetite 
was greater to spirituall duties at their first comming in time 
of wants, than afterward: many in new Plantations have 
been forced to go barefoot, and bareleg, till these latter dayes, 
and some in time of Frost and Snow: Yet were they then 
very healthy more then now they are: in this Wildernesse- 
worke men of Estates speed no better than others, and some 
much worse for want of being inured to such hard labour, 

* Raccoons. 



1635] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 115 

having laid out their estate upon cattell at five and twenty 
pound a Cow, when they came to winter them with in-land 
Hay, and feed upon such wild Fother as was never cut before, 
they could not hold out the Winter, but ordinarily the first 
or second yeare after their comming up to a new Plantation, 
many of their Cattell died, especially if they wanted Salt- 
marshes: and also those, who supposed they should feed upon 
Swines flesh were cut short, the Wolves commonly feasting 
themselves before them, who never leave neither flesh nor 
bones, if they be not scared away before they have made an 
end of their meale. As for those who laid out their Estate 
upon Sheepe, they speed worst of any at the beginning (al- 
though some have sped the best of any now) for untill the 
Land be often fed with other Cattell Sheepe cannot live; 
And therefore they never thrived till these latter dayes: 
Horse had then no better successe, which made many an honest 
Gentleman travell a foot for a long time, and some have even 
perished with extreame heate in their travells: as also the 
want of English graine, Wheate, Barly and Rie proved a sore 
affliction to some stomacks, who could not live upon Indian 
Bread and water, yet were they compelled to it till Cattell 
increased, and the Plowes could but goe: instead of Apples 
and Peares, they had Pomkins and Squashes of divers kinds. 
Their lonesome condition was very grievous to some, which 
was much aggravated by continuall feare of the Indians ap- 
proach, whose cruelties were much spoken of, and more espe- 
cially during the time of the Peqot wars. 

Thus this poore people populate this howling Desart, march- 
ing manfully on (the Lord assisting) through the greatest diffl- 
culties, and forest labours that ever any with such weak means 
have done. 

Chap. XXXVII. 

Of the Thirteenth Church of Christ gathered at Hingham, 1636.* 

At this time also came to shore the servant of Christ 
Master Peter Hubbord, whom the Lord was pleased to make 
use of for feeding his people in this Wildernesse, being called 

'The gathering of the Hingham church took place in September, 1635, 
preceding by ten months that of the church of Concord, July, 1636. The name 



116 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1635 

to Office by the Church of Christ at the Town of Hingham, 
which is scituate upon the Sea coasts South-east of Charles 
River, being a place nothing inferiour to their Neighbours 
for scituation, and the people have much profited themselves 
by transporting Timber, Planke and Mast for Shipping to the 
Town of Boston, as also Ceder and Pine-board to supply the 
wants of other Townes, and also to remote parts, even as far 
as Barbadoes. They want not for Fish for themselves and 
others also. 

This Towne consisted of about sixty Families, the forme is 
somewhat intricate to describe, by reason of the Seas wasting 
crookes, where it beates upon a mouldering shore, yet have 
they compleat streetes in some places. The people joyned 
in Church covenant in this place, were much about an hundred 
soules, but have been lessened by a sad unbrotherly conten- 
tion, which fell out among them, wasting them every way, 
continued already for seven yeares space, ^ to the great grief e 
of all other Churches, who held out the right hand of fellow- 
ship unto them in Brotherly communion, which may (the 
Lord helping) demonstate to all the true Churches of Christ 
the World throughout, although they be distanced by place 
or Nation, yet ought they never to take up such an Indepen- 
dent way, as to reject the advise and counsell of each other, 
for although the Lord Christ have compleated his commission 
in giving full power to every particular Church to exercise all 
his Ordinances in and toward their owne body, yet hath the 
Lord so dispensed his gifts, that when the one want, the other 
shall abound both in spirituall and temporall, that by giving 
and receiving mutuall love may be maintained, the intire 
truthes of Christ continued, the Churches of Christ supported, 
superiority of any may be avoided, and all such as raise dis- 
cord among Brethren may be retarded, the downfall of Anti- 

was given because the pastor, Hobart, and many of the flock came from Hingham 
in Norfolk, England. He was of Magdalene College, Cambridge, and was for 
nearly forty-five years pastor of this church. 

* A dispute broke out in Hingham in 1645, about a militia election. Trivial 
in itself, it raised important questions concerning the authority of the magis- 
trates of the colony and the liberties of the people. Winthrop was involved, and 
his account of the matter, Journal, II. 229-245, including his "little speech" on 
liberty, shows him at his best. Hobart's tendency to Presbyterianism aided, as 
is intimated in the ensuing phrases and in the verses below, to prolong the dispute. 



1635] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 117 

Christ, and restauration of that antient people of the Lord 
furthered, through the Unity of Christs Churches the World 
throughout: this Church I hope will give signall to others 
(the Lord assisting) that they split not upon the Rock. Of 
their Pastors I shall say no more, but this at present. 

Oh Hubbard! why do'st leave thy native soile? 

Is't not to war 'mongst Christ's true worthies here ? 
What, wilt give out? thou'lt loose thy former toile 

And starve Christs flock, which he hath purchast deare. 
What would's thou have, speake plaine, truth bides the light: 

To Gods word goe, it's that must triall be, 
Hath cruell sword, not het one [hit on] thy side right, 

Increase in love, and thou wilt Justice see. 
With humble, holy, learned men converse, 

Thee and thy flock they would in one unite, 
And all the fogs of selfe conceit disperse; 

Thee and thy sons the Lord Christ guide aright. 

Some other of the Ministers of Christ arrived this yeare 
1635. As Mr. Flint,' Mr. Carter, and Mr. Walton and some 
others, of whom we shall speake (by the Lord assistance) in 
due time and place, in the meane time here is to be remem- 
bred Mr. Thomas Flint a sincere servant of Christ, who had a 
faire yearly Revenue in England, but having improved it for 
Christ, by casting it in the common Treasury,^ as it appeares 
in the former part of this History, he waites on the Lord for 
doubling his Talent, if it shall seeme good unto him so to doe, 
and the meane time spending his person for the good of his 
people in the Office of a Magistrate. 

At Christs commands, thou leav'st thy lands, and native habitation: 
His folke to aid, in Desart straid, for Gospells Exaltation, 

Flint Hardy thou, wilt not allow, the underminding Fox, 

With subtill skill, Christs vines to spill, thy sword shall give them 
knocks. 

Yet thou base dust, and all thou hast, is Christ's, and by him thou 
Art made to be, such as we see, hold fast for ever now. 

* Henry Flint, afterward teacher of the church at Brain tree; see p. 197, post. 
Thomas Carter became Johnson's pastor at Woburn; see pp. 215-218. 

* He brought £2,000 to the colony, but died a poor man. 



118 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

Chap. XXXVIII 

Of the placing down of many Souldiers of Christ, and gathering 
the Church of Christ at Sandwitch in Plimouth patten,^ and 
further supply for the Churches of Ipswich and Linne. 

This yeare 1636. Sir Henry Vaine, was chosen Governour, 
and John Winthrope Esquire Deputy Governour, the number 
of Freemen added were about eighty three.^ This yeare came 
over the much honoured Mr. Fenwick ^ a godly and able in- 
strument to assist in helping to uphold the civill Government 
of the second and third Colonies here planted, by the Divine 
Providence of the most high God, hee having purchased the 
Plantation of Saybrooke-Fort, became a good incourager to 
the Church of Christ at Hartford, where the reverend Mr. 
Hooker, and Mr. Stone were Officers. In remembrance of 
whom a few lines take here. 

Fenwick among this Christian throng, to wildernesse doth flee: 
There learn'd hast thou, yet further how, Christ should advanced be. 

Who for that end, doth back thee send, their Senator to sit; * 
In native soile for him still toile, while thou hast season fit. 

His Churches peace, do not thou cease, with their increase to bring, 
That they and thee, in lasting Glee, may Hallelujah sing. 

The beginning of this yeare was spent in accommodating 
these new come Guests in the former yeare, whose numbers 
was neer about three thousand, and now they began to be 
perswaded they should be a setled people, not minding the 
present dangers they were in, as you shall hear anon, onely 
in the meane time take notice of further supply the Lord Christ 
was pleased to send before the cattell increased to its strength, 
among whom the aged, and long continued Souldiers of Christ 
Jesus Mr. Partrich, as also Mr. Nathaniel Rogers an able dis- 

* Duxbury in Plymouth patent. ^ Actually, 96. 

' George Fenwick, previously a barrister of Gray's Inn, and subsequently 
a colonel in the Parliamentary army, visited New England in 1636 as agent of 
Lord Saye and Sele and Lord Brooke, Puritan lords who had obtained a patent 
from the Earl of Warwick. Coming again in 1639 he founded a settlement at 
Saybrook, which in 1644 he transferred to the colony of Connecticut. 

* He sat in the Long Parliament and the Parliaments of the Protectorate, 
from 1645 to the time of his death in 1656. 



1G36] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 119 

putant, whose mouth the Lord was pleased to fill with many 
arguments for the defence of his truth, Mr. Samuel Whiting, 
who hath also, with keeping to the patterne of sound and 
wholesome Doctrine, much stopped the spreading Leaven of 
the Pharises. Mr. Partrich was called to Office at a Towne 
then named Dukes Berry ^ in Plimoth Government, scituated 
upon the Sea-coast, where the people of Christ being gathered 
into a Church, Ordained him to be their Pastor. 

In thine owne soile well rooted in the truth, 

Thou didst stand fast by Prelates power unbow'd, 
But Laude layes load on Gods folke to his Ruth, 

By whom thou mayst no longer be alow'd. 
Then Partrich thou thy wings begins to spread 

Of Faith and Love to flie these long Seas o're, 
To wildernesse where thou Christs Lambs hast fed 

With's sincere Milke this fourteene yeare and more. 
But now with age thy Almon Tree doth flourish, 

Yet spreading like the Palme Tree dost thou stand, 
Fth'house of God, Christ Roote thy Boughs do nourish; 

And for thy head he hath a Crowne in's hand. 

Mr. Nathaniel Rogers being landed, after a long and 
tedious Voyage at Sea,^ was welcomed by the Church of 
Christ at Ipswitch, where the Reverened and Judicious Mr. 
Nathaniel Ward, although a very able Preacher, and much 
desired, yet for some naturall infirmity (himselfe being best 
privy unto) desired to be unbound of his ingagement with his 
people in point of Office: that being left to his liberty, hee 
might Preach more seldom, in whose stead the Church called 
to Office this Reverend and Holy Man of God Mr. Nathaniel 
Rogers, whose labours in this Westerne World, have been 
very much : a very sweet heavenlj'- minded man, of whom the 
Author is bold to say as f olloweth : 

Through boystrous Seas thy brittle frame of Man 
It safely is in Christ's sweet armes infold, 

No wonder then thou weake dust stotly [stoutly] can 
Preach Christs in's truths, why he doth thee uphold? 

' Duxbury, where Rev. Ralph Partridge, the most influential minister in the 
Plymouth colony, served nearly twenty-two years. 
»See Winthrop, I. 199, 200. 



120 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

Why Rogers he thee over-Sea hath sett 

Against the day of Battell, now at hand, 
No sooner are thy feet one [on] those shores set, 

But Leaders do Christ truth withstand. 
Undaunted thou these Westerne Fields dost enter, 

Filld with the spirit's ready sword at hand, 
Ingage thou wilt thy selfe, 'mongst hardships venter; 

Valiant thou foughtst under thy Christ's command 
And yet with all men wouldst have peace thy aime. 

If deepe to wound, and sweetly then to say, 
Come to my Christ, hee'l heale your wounds againe; 

Canst but submit hee'l never say thee nay. 
With learned Method thou Gods Word divides: 

Long labouring that each soule may take his part. 
Thy gratious speech with grave impression bides; 

Thus Christ by thee is pleas'd to win the heart. 
My Muse lament, Nathaniel is decaying: ^ 

Why dost thou grutch him Heaven, such toile hath had, 
In Christ his Vineyard rather be thou praying; 

That in Christs armes he resting may be glad. 

Mr. Samuel Whiting ^ was well welcomed by the Church of 
Christ at Cawgust [Saugus], which Towne, being now of age to 
receive an English name, was called Linne, where this Rev- 
erend man now hath his aboade. 

Thy ardent Love, the countlesse Ocean's measure 

Quench cannot, for thy love on him is set, 
WTio of true love hath aie the depthlesse Treasure, 

Doth thine increase, least thou should'st his forget. 
Love Christ in's truths, my Whiting, thou hast done: 

Thou wilt not suflfer with their leaven sower, 
False Doctrines 'mongst thy tender flock to run; 

Timely cut off wilt thou all those devour. 
Samuel mourne not thy strength in Desart's spent: 

Rather rejoyce thy Christ makes use of thee 
Soules to convert, his Kingdomes large extent 

From East to West shall shortly setled be. 



> He died in 1655. 

* Whiting, son of a mayor of Boston, in Lincolnshire, and a graduate of 
Emmanuel College, had been for some years a preacher at Lynn, England. 



1636] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 121 

Thine Eyes and Eares have seen and heard great things 
Done by thy Christ, shewes he thy toile accepts; 

Though thy weake flesh weaker to dust hee'l bring, 
Thy quickned spirit increast in his joy leaps. 



Chap. XXXIX. 

Of the first appearing in the Field, of the enemies of Christs 
people in point of Reformation. 

And now to follow our first simile of a Souldier, the Lord 
Christ having safely landed many a valiant Souldier of his 
on these Westerne shores, drawes hither also the common 
enemies to Reformation, both in Doctrine and Discipline; 
But it was for like end, as the Lord sometime drew Sisera the 
Captaine of Jabins army to the River Kishon for their destruc- 
tion,^ onely herein was a wide difference; there Sisera was 
delivered into the hands of a Woman, and here Sisera was a 
woman; their weapons and warre was carnall, these spirituall; 
there Jabin was but a man, here Jabin was the common 
enemy of mans salvation. 

In the yeare 1636. the Angels of the several! Churches of 
Christ in N. England sounding forth their silver Trumpets, 
heard ever and anon the jarring sound of ratling Drums in 
their eares, striking up an alarum to the battell, it being a 
frequent thing publikely to oppose the pure and perfect truths 
of Christ (delivered by the mouth of his Ministers) and that 
by way of question as the Pharises, Sadduces and Herodians 
did Christ. But to bring this disorderly worke of theirs into 
some order, for assuredly could the Author come up to relate 
the full of the matter in hand, it would through the mercy of 
Christ make much for the good of Gods people the World 
throughout, and helpe to discover the last (I hope) but most 
subtile practices of Satan to hinder the Restauration of the 
purity of Christs Ordinances in his Churches in all places; 
As also used by him and his instruments to divert the hands 
of those, to whom it belongs, from pulling downe Antichrist, 
to which end he stirreth up some of his instruments (well 

' Judges iv. and v. 



122 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

educated in the Masking schoole of Hippocrisy) to take upon 
them this long Voyage, giving them in charge by all meanes 
to carry it more close, then his Jesuites had done, and for 
their paines they should have the honours to be counted such 
as were of a sharper sight, and deeper discerning then any 
others. Satan, knowing right well that at the fall of Anti- 
christ hee must be chained up for a thousand years, strives 
with all the wicked craft his long experienced maliciousnesse 
could possibly invent, to uphold the same, having already 
perswaded many that his Kingdome was wholly ruinated 
with our English Nation, and so diswaded them a long 
time from further prosecuting against him. But Antichrists 
Kingdome, as it plainly appeares by Scripture, consists 
chiefly in two parts, his deceaveible Doctrines, and his 
Kingly power. The first of these being in measure abolished, 
the latter was still retained by the Prelacy, and some Lord- 
ing Presbjrtery in greater or lesser measure, as they could 
attaine unto it. 

Now Satan, who is daily walking to and fro compassing 
the Earth, seeing how these resolved Souldiers of Christ in 
New England with indefatigable paines laboured, not onely 
the finall ruine of Antichrist, in both, but also the advance of 
Christs Kingdome, in seting up daily Churches according to 
his first institution. Wherefore he sets upon a new way to 
stop (if it were possible) this worke of Reformation, and seeing 
no other way will serve, he stirs up instruments to cry down 
Antichrist as much as the most, I [ay] and more too, but by 
this project they should leade people as much out of the way 
on the other hand, and in the Doctrinall part of Antichrists 
Kingdome, fall to more horrid Blasphemies then the Papist, 
as (God willing) you shall heare some of them did, namely 
the Gortenist, who most blasphemously professe themselves 
to be personally the Christ: and as for the other part of his 
Kingdome, namely the power or Dominion of the beast, this 
they should with all violence batter downe also, but it must 
be none other then to make way for their owne exaltation, 
and pay them their wages in the former page promised 
them, as also withall to overthrow the authority Christ 
hath ordained to be continued in his Churches, in and under 
him, and furthermore to lock up the Sword of Civill Gov- 



1636] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 123 

ernment for ever, especially in matters that concerne the 
foure first Commands of God/ a cunning way to save the 
beasts head whole. 

You have now heard of the intention, you shall now see 
their actions. The Lord Christ in his boundlesse mercy give 
all his people eyes to see, and hearts to believe, that after they 
have in measure escaped the filthy pollutions of the beast, 
they may not againe be intangled with these damnabled Doc- 
trines, stealing away their hearts by degrees, under a seeming 
shew of pulling down Antichrist. The Embassadors of Christ 
Jesus, having full liberty to deliver their masters minde. 
Preach unto all the Doctrine of Free grace, beseeching them 
to be reconciled unto God in Christ, and that the revealed will 
of God is, that all should be saved, and come to the knowl- 
edge of the truth, and that God hath given his onely begotten 
Son, That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but 
have everlasting Life. Yet withall minding them that Faith 
is the gift of God, and none can come unto Christ, but such as 
the Father drawes, and withall that the whole will not see 
any need of the Phisicians, but the sick, adding also that none 
can come to the sight of his sicknesse or dead condition but 
by the Law of God, unlesse they be quicker sighted then the 
Apostle; They indevour also to build up others in their holy 
Faith, that they might come to see the Love of God in Christ 
which passeth knowledge, and to this end they shew them 
the fruits of Faith which worketh by love, and that love will 
be obedient to all the commands of Christ, who saith, if you 
love me keepe my Commandements ; And further that Faith 
purifies the heart, and that a constant supply must be had 
from Christ. With these and the like sound and wholsome 
truths the Ministers of Christ feeds their severall flocks in 
New England, drawing their Doctrines plainly from their 
Text, and substantially backing them with store of Scripture, 
and undeniable reason, and then delivering to every man his 
portion. 

' Classing the first four Commandments as those prescribing man's duty to 
God (the "First Table"), and the remaining six as those prescribing his duty to 
his neighbor (the "Second Table"), the Massachusetts government maintained, 
and dissentients like Roger Williams denied, the right of the magistrates to punish 
for infractions of the First Table. 



124 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

But this good old way would not serve the turne with cer- 
taine Sectaries that were hither come/ who like cunning 
Sophisters, seeing the bent of the peoples hearts (after so 
many mercies received) was to magnifie the rich Grace of 
God in Christ; they began to tell the people (yet very pri- 
vately) that the most, if not all the Ministers among them 
Preached a Covenant of workes, either course or fine, and 
with a what doe you say to this. They begin to spread their 
Errors and Heresies, laying the foundation of them as nere 
the truth as possible they can, the easier to deceive, but in 
the prosecution, to be sure they ran far enough from it, but 
to begin; First, they quarrell with the Doctrine of Faith in 
Christ, and say, a Soule is justified without it. 

Chap. XL. 

Of the cunning 'policy of Satan in that machevillian Principle, 
divide and overcome, and of the two first dividing Prin- 
ciples, by which many errors were brought in. 

And verily Satans policy here (as in all places where the 
Lord Christ is acknowledged) was to keepe men from that one 
right way, by the which hee applies himselfe to the soule, no 
marvell then if so many Errours arise, like those fained heads 

* We are not to expect that one of Johnson's temperament should give us a 
perfectly fair account of those who opposed the standing order in Massachusetts, 
the theocracy so sacred in his eyes and so infallible. The gainsaying which he is 
about to describe is that of the so-called Antinomians, who, led by Mrs. Anne 
Hutchinson and Rev. John Wheelwright, maintained that saving grace went only 
to such as were "justified by faith"; that, this grace once received, the recipient 
was above law, above the "Covenant of Works"; and that no works, no degree of 
sanctification, could prove that one was the possessor of saving grace. Mrs. 
Hutchinson carried a majority of the Boston church with her for a time, and 
Cotton partially. After a bitter and dangerous struggle the orthodox prevailed, 
dissent was suppressed, sectaries were banished; and Johnson, as we shall see, 
thinks it advisable, for the peace of Zion, to suppress the names alike of those who 
led, of those who fell, and of those who wavered. For his own part, he has 
plainly had no doubts; he is moved only to indignation mingled with mirth by 
the talk of those who presume "in thought's abstractest forms to seem to see" — 
and do not see as constituted authority sees. The best account of the whole 
affair is that in Mr. Charles Francis Adams's Three Episodes of Massachusetts 
History. 



1636] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 125 

of Hidra, as fast as one is cut off two stand up in the roome, 
and chiefly about the uniting of a soule to Christ by Faith. 
Their Errors in this point they reported to be the judgement 
of the Reverend and Judicious Mr. John Gotten; But hee 
having spoken for himselfe in his answer to Mr. Baily/ I for- 
beare, onely this by the way, take notice of these subtill Pro- 
jectors, the Erronist I meane, who perceiving this holy man 
of God Mr. Gotten was and yet is in great esteeme with the 
people of God, for the great grace Ghrist hath bestowed upon 
him in his deepe discerning the mysteries of godlinesse, as 
also discerning some little difference betweene him and the 
other Elders about this point, comment upon it, and inlarge 
at their pleasure, and then in daily venting their deceivable 
Doctrines, like subtill Logicians, bring in this as their strongest 
argument in the last place. I'le tell you Friend, Neighbour, 
Brother, if you will forbeare to speake of it till you hear 
farther, this is the judgement of M. Gotten, when he, it may 
be, had never heard of it, or at least wise, when they brought 
this their bastardly brat to him, they put another vizard on the 
face of it : but that you may understand their way of broach- 
ing their abominable errors, it was in dividing those things 
the Lord hath united in his worke of conversion continued, 
carrying on a Soule to Heaven in these foure Particulars. 

First, in dividing betweene the word and the word, under 
pretence of a legall Gospell, perswading the people their 
Ministers were legall Preachers, teaching them little better 
then Popery, and unfit for Gospell Ghurches, denying them 
to be any Ministers of Ghrist that Preach any preparation 
worke,^ by shewing men what the Law requires. Here's 
nothing, sayes one of them, but Preaching out of the Law and 
the Prophets, truly sayes another of them I have not heard a 
pure Gospell Sermon from any of them, but sure they were 
both troubled with the Lethargy, or read not the Gospell 
themselves, for they may finde the Apostles, yes, and Ghrist 
himselfe. Preached good Gospell sure, out of the Law and the 
Prophets. 

' Cotton's The Way of the Churches of Christ in New England (London, 
1645), was an answer to Robert Baillie's Dissuasive from the Errours of the 
Time (do.). 

* Work on the part of man, preparing him for the reception of God's grace. 



126 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

Secondly, in separating Christ and his Graces, in mani- 
festing himselfe to be in the Soule, and this they say makes 
much for the magnifying of Free-grace, and indeed they made 
it so free, that the soule that receives it shall never taste any 
of it by their consent, but remaine still a dry branch as before; 
these legall Pharises, sayes one of them, tell us of a thing they 
call inherent grace, and of a man being made a new creature, 
but I am sure the best of them goe on in their legall duties 
and performances still, sorrowing for sinne, hearing of Sermons, 
observing duty Morning and Evening, and many such like 
matters. Tush man, sayes another of them, you shall hear 
more then this, I was discoursing with one of their Scholas- 
ticall Preachers Disciples, a professed convert, and yet when 
he came to pray, he beg'd for forgivenesse of his sins, I asked 
him why he used that vaine repetition, since hee did believe 
he was justified by Christ already, and hee made me an answer 
not worth repeating, but when I told him God could see no 
sinne in his people, no more than I could see that which was 
covered close from my eye-sight; hee told mee I spake little 
lesse then blasphemy, so ignorant are these men, and their 
learned guides also; who perswade them the more they have 
of the in-dwelling of the Spirit of Christ, the better they shall 
be inabled to these legall duties. Nay, quoth the other, I 
can tell you more then all this, they make it an evidence of 
their good estate, even their sanctification, and yet these men 
would make people believe they are against Popery. 

By this discourse of theirs, you may see the manner how 
these Erronious, and Hereticall persons batter off the fruit 
from the goodly branches of Christs vines and make bare the 
flourishing trees planted in the house of the Lord, and yet 
professe themselves to be Schollars of the upper forme, that 
have learned as far as their Masters can teach them, but let 
me tell you friends you'l prove but t re wants if you fall thus 
to Robbing of Orchards, and its an offence far beyond petty 
Larceny, to rob Christs Garden, let your pretences be what 
they will: can it possible be for the magnifying of Christs 
Grace that the branches growing upon his root should remaine 
fruitlesse? no assuredly, herein God is glorified that his people 
bring forth much fruit, yet many of these new Gospellers had 
another plea, hypocrites have a seeming shew of Saints graces 



1636] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 127 

by which they deceive themselves and others; And there- 
fore because Felons and Traytors coyne counterfeit Gold, 
therefore true Gold should not passe for current, but the in- 
tent of the Author is to prosecute the History, these errours 
being confuted already by the able servants of Christ, whom 
the Lord in his mercy brought hither for that purpose. 

Chap. XLI. 

Of the two latter dividing Principles under which these Erronists 

fought. 

The third dividing tenent, by which these persons prose- 
cuted their errors at this time, was betweene the Word of God, 
and the Spirit of God, and here these Sectaries had many 
prety knacks to delude withall, and especially to please the 
Femall Sex, they told of rare Revelations of things to come 
from the spirit (as they say) ; it was onely devised to weaken 
the Word of the Lord in the mouth of his Ministers, and 
withall to put both ignorant and unlettered Men and Women, 
in a posture of Preaching to a multitude, that they might be 
praised for their able Tongue. Come along with me, sayes one 
of them, i'le bring you to a Woman ^ that Preaches better 
Gospell then any of your black-coates that have been at the 
Ninneversity, a Woman of another kinde of spirit, who hath 
had many Revelations of things to come, and for my part, 
saith hee, I had rather hear such a one that speakes from the 
meere motion of the spii-it, without any study at all, then any 
of your learned ScoUers, although they may be fuller of 
Scripture (I) [ay] and admit they may speake by the helpe 
of the spirit, yet the other goes beyond them. Gentle Reader, 
thinke not these things fained, because I name not the parties, 
or that here is no witnesse to prove them, should I so do: 
neither of both is the cause I assure you, but being somewhat 
acquainted with my own weakenesse, should the Lord with- 
draw the light of his word, and also I verily believe some of 
them are truly turned againe to the truth, the which I wish to 
all, yet by relating the story all men may see what a spirit of 
giddinesse they were given up to, and some of them to strong 

» Meaning Mrs. Hutchinson, 



128 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

delusions, even to most horrid and damnable blasphemies, 
having itching eares, or rather proud desires to become Teach- 
ers of others, when they grosly erred in the first Principles 
of Religion themselves. There was a man in one of the far- 
thest Townes of the Mattacusets Government, where they 
had no Ministers for the present, he being much desirous to 
shew himselfe some body in talking to as many as hee could 
get to hear him one [on] the Sabbath day, missing some of his 
Auditors, he meets with one of them some few dayes after, 
they passing over the water together, where were you quoth 
he on the Sabbath day that you were not at the meeting? 
we had a notable piece of Prophecy. Quoth the man that 
was missing, who was it that Preached? The other replying 
not: his Wife being in presence, answered; it was my hus- 
band. Nay wife, quoth he, thou shoulds not have told him, 
teach him to stay at home another time. 

By this and divers other such like matters, which might 
be here inserted, you may see how these Sectaries love the 
preheminence, and for this end seeke to deprive the Ministers 
of Christ, inveigling as many as they can in the head, that they 
take to much upon them (just like the rebellious Korath, 
Dathan, and Abiram) ^ scoffing at their Scholler-like way of 
Preaching, wherein the grosse dissimulation of these erronious 
persons hath appeared exceedingly, as for instance first of a 
Woman, even the grand Mistris of all the rest, who denied the 
Resurrection from the dead, shee and her consorts mightily 
rayling against learning, perswading all they could to take 
heed of being spoyled by it, and in the meane time, shee her 
selfe would dispute (forsooth) and to shew her skill that way, 
here is a falacy quoth she in this syllogisme: as also one of 
the Gortonists, as shallow a pated Scholler as my selfe, far 
from understanding Latine, much lesse any other Language 
the Scriptures were writ in, yet when hee would hold out some 
of the best of his false Doctrines, as namely, that there were 
no other Devills but wicked men, nor no such thing as sin. 
Quoth he, that place in the fourth Psalme, where men com- 
monly read, stand in awe and sin not, in the originall it is 
read stand in awe and misse not. But to go on, at this time 

* See Numbers xvi. 



1636] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 129 

there were many strange Revelations told both of Men and 
Women, as true some of them said as the Scripture, so that 
surely had this Sect gone on awhile, they would have made 
a new Bible, and their chief Mistris when she was shipt for 
N. England, what will you say, quoth she, and it hath beene 
revealed to me that we shall be there in six weekes, and one 
of the femall Gortonists said, she was a Prophetesse, and it 
was revealed unto her, that shee must prophecy unto the 
People in the same words the Prophet Ezekiel did, as also a 
lusty big man to defend this tenent held forth to his Pastor 
before the whole Congregation, that the spirit of Revelation 
came to him as he was drinking a pipe of Tobacco/ 

The fourth dividing way to bring in their Heresies, was to 
devide betweene Christ and his Ordinances, and here they 
plaid their game to purpose, even to casting down of all Ordi- 
nances as carnall, and that because they were polluted by 
the Ordinance of man, as some of these Sectaries have said 
to the Minister of Christ, you have cast off the crosse in Bap- 
tisme, but you should do well to cast off Baptisme it selfe; 
as also for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, for to make 
use of Bread, or the juce of a silly Grape to represent the 
Body and Bloud of Christ, they accounted it as bad as Neg- 
romancy in the Ministers of Christ to performe it. But seeing 
there will be occasion to bring in a bed-roule ^ of these Blas- 
phemies in the yeare (43) and (44) take the lesse here; onely 
minde that these persons being first bewildred in the deniall 
of Infants being Baptized, could neither finde right faith to 
be Baptized into, nor yet any person rightly constituted to 
Baptize. Remaining Seekers, they came to this, but yet 
here must not be omitted the slights these Erronists had to 
shoulder out the Officers Christ hath ordained, and set up in 

*This is probably a reminiscence of the saying attributed (1638) to that 
scandalous hypocrite, Captain John Underbill, that "he had lain under a spirit 
of bondage and a legal way five years, and could get no assurance, till at length, 
as he was taking a pipe of tobacco, the Spirit set home an absolute promise of 
free grace with such assurance and joy, as he never since doubted of his good 
estate, neither should he, though he should fall into sin" (which he was lament- 
ably prone to do) ; or of his argument before the Boston church the next Lord's 
Day, that the Lord might readily "manifest Himself to him as he was taking 
the moderate use of the creature called tobacco," Winthrop, I. 275, 276. 

' Bead-roll, catalogue. 



130 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

his Churches; and verily in this point they sided directly 
with the Papist and Prelates, although in most of the other 
they went directly out of the way on the other hand. Igno- 
rance say the Papist is the Mother of devotion, its better say 
the Protestant Prelates to have a blind sir John,^ one that 
cannot tell how to Preach, provided he will conforme to our 
Ceremonies, than to have one that will Preach constantly, 
and not conforme also : these Erronist, shewing themselves 
to be whelps of the same litter, Cry out against a learned 
Presbitery, as the onely way to captivate liberty, and herein 
the transformed Devill came to shew his Homes, for why, 
his errors would not take where the people were followers of 
their seeing guids, and if it be well noted, here is the Master- 
piece of all their knavery, the which comes in after this man- 
ner, The Lording Prelacy, Popes, Cardinalls, Bishops, Deanes, 
etc., were ordinarily brought up at the University to learning, 
and have most tyrannically abused it, usurping over the People 
of Christ, and exercised most inhumane and barbarous cruelty 
upon them; as also the Presbyterian Kirke by these Provin- 
ciall Classes, men of learning having robbed the particular 
Congregations of their just and lawfull priviledges, which 
Christ hath purchased for them, Each Congregation of his 
being invested with full power to Administer all the Ordi- 
nances he hath ordained, in and toward their owne Members; 
and further learned men in some places, feeding the people 
for their Tith-sake in a Parishioniall way, desire the uphold- 
ing thereof, lest their fat Benefices should grow leane. 

Now the Redemption of the people of Christ out of all 
these bondages, being full of difficulty to attaine, as is abun- 
dantly witnessed in the great hardship Gods people have 
undergon in this Wildernesse-worke; as also much more by 
that bloudy war so long continued in our Native Country, 
and the two adjacent Kingdomes, This makes a very faire 
bottome for those to build upon, who would have the sluce of 
authority in the Officers of Christs Churches plucked up, that 
so their errors might flow in like a floud; And therefore they 
impannell a Jury of their own Sectaries to passe upon all 
such as put a higher esteem upon their Pastors and Teachers 

' A cant name for a priest, for Sir, besides its other uses, was employed as a 
title for a bachelor of arts, and hence for a clergyman. 



1636] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 131 

(in point of discerning the holy things of God) then upon 
other men, who returne in their Verdit as finding them guilty 
of the crime above expressed, either as party, or privy abetters 
unto them. Upon this the Vote goes for advancing such men 
as will let them out line enough, for such as will worke without 
wages, and give to every man liberty to exercise a large con- 
science, provided it be his own, and as for authority, they 
would have none used, as being a thing two opposite to liberty. 
My friend, cast off as much of thy owne power as thou canst, 
and beware of Lording it over Gods Heritage, but I pray thee 
let Christ alone with his, which he hath given to his Pastors 
and Teachers in administring the holy things of God, peculiar 
to their Office, and tremble all you Presbyterians, who to 
please the people prostrate the authority Christ hath put upon 
the Eldrs of his Churches as Officers, to the resolute liberty 
of man: the people may and ought to call them to Office, to 
the which Christ hath united double honour and authority, 
and appointed them to be had in high esteeme for their worke- 
sake, being Embassadors of Christ Jesus. This may no man 
take from them, nor yet they themselves cast off, and yet all 
this makes nothing for the Papall, Prelaticall, Classicall or 
Parishionall authority of the Presbitery, for it holds onely 
in their ruling well, while they rule for Christ, they must and 
shall have the power hee hath put upon their Office. From 
these foure dividing Tenents by the cunning art of these 
deceivers, were forescore grosse errours ^ broached secretly, 
sliding in the darke like the Plague, proving very infectious 
to some of the Churches of Christ in their Members. 

Chap. XLII. 

Of sad effects of the pitifull and erronious Doctrines broached 

by the Sectuaries. 

The number of these infectious persons increasing now, 
haveing drawn a great party on their side, and some consider- 
able persons, they grow bold, and dare question the Sound 
and wholesome truths delivered in publick by the Ministers 

* The number eighty (more exactly eighty-two) is taken from the catalogue 
of these errors which was drawn up by the assembly of ministers which sat at 
Cambridge in 1637. 



132 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

of Christ. Their Church-meetings are full of Disputes in 
points of difference, and their love-Feasts are not free from 
spots, in their Courts of civill Justice some men utter their 
Speeches in matters of Religion very ambiguously, and among 
all sorts of persons a great talke of new light, but verily it 
proved but old darknesse, such as sometime over-shadowed 
the City of Munster; ^ But blessed be the Lord Christ, who 
now declared himselfe to be a helpe at hand for his poore 
New England Churches, being now in their infancy, whose 
condition at present was very dolorous, and full of difficulties, 
insomuch that the better part of this new transported people 
stood still many of them gazing one upon another, like Sheepe 
let loose to feed on fresh pasture, being stopped and startled 
in their course by a Kennell of devouring Wolves. The 
weaker fort wavered much, and such as were more growne 
Christians hardly durst discover the truth they held one unto 
another. The fogs of errour increasing, the bright beames of 
the glorious Gospell of our Lord Christ in the Mouth of his 
Ministers could not be discerned through this thick mist by 
many, and that sweete refreshing warmth that was formerly 
felt from the spirits influence, was now turned (in these 
Erronists) to a hot inflamation of their owne conceited Revela- 
tions, ulcerating and bringing little lesse then frenzy or mad- 
nesse to the patient, the Congregation of the people of God 
began to be forsaken, and the weaker Sex prevailed so farre, 
that they set up a Priest of their own Profession and Sex, who 
was much thronged after, abominably wresting the Scriptures 
to their own destruction: this Master-piece of Womens wit, 
drew many Disciples after her, and to that end boldly insin- 
uated her selfe into the favour of none of the meanest, being also 
backed with the Sorcery of a second, who had much converse 
with the Devill by her own confession,^ and did, to the admir- 
ation of those that heard her, utter many speeches in the Latine 
Tongue, as it were in a trance. This Woman was wonted to 

* At Miinster in western Germany, in 1534, occurred an outbreak of the 
visionary and revolutionary Anabaptists, who, carrying to an extreme the proc- 
esses of the Reformation, set up the reign of the saints in a form which speedily 
developed into tyranny and the wildest license. In 1535, after a long siege, the 
city was subdued; but the name of Munster remained for more than a century a 
bugbear to the upholders of constituted religious and civil authority. 

* Jane Hawkins the midwife. See Winthrop, Journal, I. 266, 268; II. 8. 



1636] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 133 

give drinkes to other Women to cause them to conceive, how 
they wrought I know not, but sure there were Monsters borne 
not long after, as you shall hear in the following History. 

Oh yee New England Men and Women, who hath be- 
witched you that you should not obey the truth? And in- 
deed Satan, to make sure worke with semblance of Preaching 
the Doctrine of Free-grace by his instruments, makes shew of 
out-bidding all the Orthodox and godly Ministers in the Coun- 
trey, pretending their Preaching to be but a Covenant of 
workes, supposing by this meanes to silence them without a 
Bishop, and lest the civill power should stand up for their 
aid, they threaten them with the high displeasure of Christ 
for persecuting his people, which as they said these erronious 
persons with their new light, were the onely Men and Women 
that were pure Gospell Preachers, Thus the poore people of 
Christ, who kept close to his antient truths, invironed with 
many straites, having expended their Estates to voyage far 
through the perillous Seas, that their eyes might behold their 
Teachers, and that they might injoy the protection of a godly 
civill Government, began to deeme themselves in a more 
dolorous condition then when they were in the Commissaries 
Court, and Prelates Prisons. The hideous waves in which 
their brittle Barques were sometimes covered, as they passed 
hither, were nothing so terrible in the apprehension of some 
as was this floud of errors violently beating against the bankes 
of Church and civill Government. The wants of this Wilder- 
nesse, and pinching penury in misse of Bread, put them to no 
such paine by gnawing on their empty stomacks, with feare of 
famishing, as did the misse of the Administration of Christ in 
his Word and Ordinances, leaving the soule in a languishing con- 
dition for want of a continuall supply of Christ in his Graces. 

Chap. XLIII. 

Of the sorrowfull condition of the people of Christ, when they 
were incountred with these erronists at their first landing. 

But to end this dismall yeare of sixteene hundred thirty 
six, take here the sorrowfull complaint of a poore Soule in 
misse of its expectation at landing, who being incountered 



134 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

with some of these Erronists at his first landing/ when he saw 
that good old way of Christ rejected by them, and hee could 
not skill in that new light, which was the common theame of 
every mans Discourse, hee betooke him to a narrow Indian 
path,^ in which his serious Meditations soone led him, where 
none but sencelesse Trees and eccohing Rocks make answer 
to his heart-easeing mone. Oh quoth he where am I become, 
is this the place where those Reverend Preachers are fled, 
that Christ was pleased to make use of to rouse up his rich 
graces in many a drooping soule; here I have met with some 
that tell mee, I must take a naked Christ. Oh, woe is mee if 
Christ be naked to mee, wherewith shall I be cloathed, but 
methinks I most wonder they tell me of casting of all godly 
sorrow for sin as unbeseeming a Soule, that is united to Christ 
by Faith, and there was a little nimbled tongued Woman 
among them, who said she could bring me acquainted with 
one of her own Sex that would shew me a way, if I could at- 
taine it, even Revelations, full of such ravishing joy that I 
should never have cause to be sorry for sinne, so long as I 
live, and as for her part shee had attained it already: a com- 
pany of legall Professors,^ quoth she, lie poring on the Law 
which Christ hath abolished, and when you breake it then 
you breake your joy, and now no way will serve your turne, 
but a deepe sorrow. These and divers other expressions in- 
timate unto men [me?], that here I shall finde little increase 
in the Graces of Christ, through the hearing of his word 
Preached, and other of his blessed Ordinances. Oh cunning 
Devill, the Lord Christ rebuke thee, that under pretence of a 
free and ample Gospell shuts out the Soule from partaking 
with the Divine Nature of Christ, in that mysticall Union of 
his Blessed Spirit, creating and continuing his Graces in the 
Soule: my deare Christ, it was thy worke that moved me 

^ It should be borne in mind that Johnson, on his second coming to New 
England (see the Introduction), arrived in 1636, in October of which year the 
Antinomian troubles began. 

' The path from Charlestown, where Johnson £t first dwelt, to Cambridge, 
where his admired Thomas Shepard preached, would answer to the description 
and to what follows. 

* Not professors of law, be it understood, but professors of religion in whom 
the free course of faith was hampered by undue regard to the legal aspects of 
God's relation to man. 



1636] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 135 

hither to come, hoping to finde thy powerfull presence in the 
Preaching of the Word, although administred by sorry men, 
subject to hke infirmities with others of Gods people, and 
also by the glasse of the Law to have my sinfull corrupt 
nature discovered daily more and more, and my utter 
inabillity of any thing that is good, magnifying hereby the 
free grace of Christ; who of his good will and pleasure 
worketh in us to will, and to doe, working all our works 
in us, and for us. 

But here they tell me of a naked Christ, what is the whole 
life of a Christian upon this Earth? But through the power 
of Christ to die to sinne, and live to holinesse and righteous- 
nesse, and for that end to be diligent in the use of meanes: at 
the uttering of this word he starts up from the greene bed of 
his complaint with resolution to hear some one of these able 
Ministers Preach (whom report had so valued) before his will 
should make choyce of any one principle, though of crossing 
the broade Seas back againe; then turning his face to the 
Sun, he steered his course toward the next Town, and after 
some small travell hee came to a large plaine. No sooner 
was hee entred thereon, but hearing the sound of a Drum 
he was directed toward it by a broade beaten way. Follow- 
ing this rode he demands of the next man he met what the 
signall of the Drum ment, the reply was made they had as 
yet no Bell to call men to meeting; and therefore made use 
of a Drum.^ Who is it, quoth hee, Lectures at this Towne? 
The other replies, I see you are a stranger, new come over, 
seeing you know not the man, it is one Mr. Shepheard. Verily 
quoth the other, you hit the right, I am new come over indeed, 
and have been told since I came most of your Ministers are 
legall Preachers, onely if I mistake not they told me this man 
Preached a finer covenant of workes then the other, but how- 
ever, I shall make what hast I can to heare him. Fare you 
well. Then hasting thither hee croudeth through the thickest, 
where having stayed while the glasse was turned up twice,' 

'The usual mode in the New England churches at this time. Rasieres 
noted it at Plymouth. Narratives of New Netherland, in this series, p. 112. 

* Public worship in Massachusetts at this period consisted of extemporaneous 
prayers, the singing of the Psalms in a metrical version, without instrumental 
accompaniment, and preaching without notes. The length of the sermon was 



136 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

the man was metamorphosed, and was faine to hang down 
the head often, least his watry eyes should blab abroad 
the secret conjunction of his affections, his heart crying 
loud to the Lords ecchoing answer, to his blessed spirit, that 
caused the Speech of a poore weake pale complectioned 
man to take such impression in his soule at present, by 
applying the word so aptly, as if hee had beene his Privy 
Counseller, cleering Christs worke of grace in the soule from 
all those false Doctrines, which the erronious party had 
afrighted him withall, and now he resolves (the Lord willing) 
to live and die with the Ministers of New England; whom 
hee now saw the Lord had not onely made zealous to stand 
for the truth of his Discipline, but also of the Doctrine, 
and not to give ground one inch. 

Chap. XLIIII. 

The Congregationall Churches of Christ are neither favourers 
ofsinfull opinions, nor the Lords over any, or many Churches, 
or mens Consciences. 

And here, Christian Reader, the Author according to his 
former practice, must minde thee of the admirable providence 
of Christ toward his New England Churches, in preserving 
them from these erronious spirits, that have hitherto in all 
places dog'd the sincere servants of Christ, when ever they 
have set upon a through Reformation, as stories doe abun- 
dantly testify, which thing the reverend Calvine and divers 
others, have declared. But seeing the boasting Prelates in 
these times are ready to say their Lordly power kept these 
errours under, it's plaine otherwise: for Satan saw while 
people were under their yoake of humane inventions, they 
were far enough from exalting the Kingdome of Christ; And 
therefore he reserved these errours, for his last shifts, and 
further you shall see in the following story that the Lord 
Christ reserved this honour for those, whose love hee had 
inlarged to follow him in a dezart wildernesse, even with the 

measured by the hour-glass. Commonly it was one hour. In this case, as we 
see, it was at least two hours, while at the founding of theWoburn church, pp.215, 
218 post, Mr. Symmes and Mr. Carter "exercised" at still greater length. 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 137 

sharpe sword of the Word, timely to cut off the heads of this 
Hidra; but yet there are two sorts of persons in our Native 
Country, whom the Elders and Brethren here do highly honour 
in Christ, and prefer before themselves, namely the godly 
Prebyterian party, and the Congregationall sincere servants 
of Christ, both which the Author could wish, that (with 
bowells of compassion, sweet simpathising affection of Brethren 
knit together in that transcendent love of Christ, which couples 
all his distanced flockes together) they would seriously ponder 
this History, which through the Authors weakenesse wants 
much of measure, but nothing of the truth of things, so far as 
a shallow capacity can reach. Of the first sort named, I 
could wish the Reverend Mr. Ruterford, Mr. Bayle, Mr. 
Rathbone, Mr. Paget, Mr. Ball, etc.^ would but informe 
themselves further by the truth of this History, supposing 
they cannot chuse but in a good measure be satisfied already 
with the pacificatory and meeke answers of as many Reverend 
and godly Elders of ours.^ 

Now that I would they should take notice of is, that the 
Churches of Christ in New England, and their Officers have 
hitherto been so far from imbracing the erronious Doctrines 
of these times, that through the powers of Christ they have 
valiantly defended the truth, and cut down all deceivable 
Doctrine; the like hath not been done for many ages hereto- 
fore. Reverend and beloved in Christ, could your eyes but 
behold the efficacy of loving counsell in the Communion of 
congregationall Churches, and the reverend respect, honour 
and love, given to all Teaching Elders, charity commands 
me to thinke you would never stand for Classicall injunc- 

* Samuel Rutherfurd, The Due Right of Presbyteries (London, 1644) ; Robert 
Baillie, A Dissuasive from the Errours of the Time (1645); William Rathband, 
A Most Grave and Modest Confutation of the Errours of the Sect called Brownists 
or Separatists (1644); John Paget, A Defence of Church-Government exercised in 
Presbytcriall, Classicall and Synodicall Assemblies (1641); John Ball, A Trial 
of the New Church Way in New England and in Old (1640). The debates in 
Parliament and in the Westminster Assembly had given rise to a large controver- 
sial literature on the respective merits of the Presbyterian and Congregational 
systems. 

' Church-Government and Church-Covenant Discussed, in an Answer of the 
Elders of the severall Churches in New-England to two and thirty Questions sent 
over to them by divers Ministers in England (London, 1643). 



138 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

tions^ any more, neither Diocesan, nor Provincial! authority can 
possible reach so far as this royall Law of love in communion 
of Churches: verily its more universall then the Papall power, 
and assuredly the dayes are at hand, wherein both Jew and 
Gentile Churches shall exercise this old Modell of Church 
Government, and send their Church salutations and admoni- 
tions from one end of the World unto another, when the 
Kingdomes of the Earth are become our Lord Christs; Then 
shall the exhortation of one Church to another prevaile more 
to Reformation, then all the thundering Bulls, excomuni- 
cating Lordly censures, and shamefull penalties of all the 
Lording Churches in the World, and such shall be and is the 
efficacy of this intire love one to another, that the withdrawing 
of any one Church of Christ, according to the Rule of the word, 
from those that walke inordinatly, will be more terrible to the 
Church or Churches so forsaken, then an Army with Banners: 
yea, and it may be added, because civill Government is like 
to turne nurse in more places then one, this royall Law of 
love shall become the Law of Nations, and none will suffer 
their subjects to rebell against it. 

But to our beloved brethren in England on the other 
hand, the Reverend Mr. Burroughs, Mr. Goodwin etc.^ This 
seemeth you have apprehended our Churches and civill 
Government, to be too strict in dealing with persons for their 
sinfull opinions, I wish the offenders be none of your intelli- 
gencers, who to be sure will make the worst of things. I 
know you are in charity with us; And therefore a few words 
will satisfie, which I hope you want not from your good friends 
our Reverend Elders, who could wish you as much happinesse 
as our selves to expell error before it grew to that height to 
cry downe the sound and wholesome truths, casting durt on 

^ I.e., injunctions of the classis or presbytery, the local assembly of elders of 
churches which, in the Presbyterian system, stood midway between the church 
session of the individual church and the provincial synod. The Presbyterian 
contention was that Congregationalism provided insufficient means for preserv- 
ing unity and maintaining uniform standards of orthodoxy by regular organs of 
governmental control. Johnson's contention is that in the Congregational 
system this is sufficiently achieved by the occasional councils of churches. 

* Jeremiah Burroughs and Thomas Goodwin, President of INIagdalen Col- 
lege, Oxford, were two of the five noteworthy Independent divines in the West- 
minster Assembly. 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 139 

our Orthodox and godly Ministery. I wish you open your 
moutlis wide enough to be filled with this blessing; the Lord 
hath done great, and unexpected things for you, and why not 
this? one and twenty yeares experience hath taught us that 
Errors and Heresies are not broached, and held out here by 
tender consciences, such as are weak in the Faith, but by such 
as think them Scholers of the upper forme, such as would 
teach the most ablest Christian among us another Gospell, 
and further we finde our Erronist[s], wanting a common enemy 
to contend withall, as you, have fallen foule of our godly 
Magistrates and Ministers, and will not suffer us quietly to 
injoy the Ordinance of Christ, for which wee hither came, 
buzzing our people in the eare with a thing they call liberty, 
which when any have tasted a smack of, they can no more 
indure to hear of a Synod or gathering together of able, and 
Orthodox Christians, nor yet of communion of Churches, but 
would be independant to purpose, and as for civill Govern- 
ment they deem Religion to be a thing beyond their Sphere. 

Chap. XLV. 

Of the civill Government in N. England, and their nurture of 
the people upon their tender knees. 

The vernall of the yeare 1637. being now in his prime, and 
as the season of the yeare grew hotter, so the minds of many 
were hot in the eager pursuite of their selfe conceited opin- 
ions, and verily had not authority stept in, it was much to be 
doubted they would have proceeded from words to blowes. 
Great hold and keepe there was about choice of Magistrates 
this yeare, the choyce being retarded by a paper call'd a 
Petition, but indeed a meere device to hinder the election, till 
the erronious party were strengthened, their number increas- 
ing daily, but the Lord Christ gratiously providing for the 
peace of his people toward the end of the day the honoured 
John Winthrope Esquire, was chosen Governour, and Thomas 
Dudly Esq. Deputy Governor: the number of free-men added 
this year was about 125.' 

' In fact, 102. For the history of this exciting election, see Winthrop, I. 215. 



140 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

Here according to promise the Reader shall have an 
accoumpt of the civill Government of this little Common- 
wealth. As their whole aime in their removall from their 
Native Country, was to injoy the liberties of the Gospell of 
Christ, so in serving up civill Government, they daily direct 
their choice to make use of such men as mostly indeavour to 
keepe the truths of Christ pure and unspotted, and assuredly 
they can digest any wrongs or injuries done them in their 
estates, or trade, better then the wresting of their right in the 
freedome of the Gospell, out of their hands, and this the 
Erronist knowing right well (to save their heads whole) per- 
swade men it is not for civill Government to meddle with 
matters of Religion; and also to helpe out with their damnable 
Doctrines, they report it in all places, where they be come, 
that New England Government doth persecute the people 
and Churches of Christ; which to speake truth they have 
hitherto beene so far from, that they have indeavoured to 
expell all such beasts of prey, (who will not be reclaimed) 
that here might be none left to hurt or destroy in all Gods 
holy Mountaine, and therefore are ready to put the Churches 
of Christ in minde of their duty herein; yea, and sometimes 
going before them in their civill censures that they may not 
onely professe the truth, but also hate every false way, not 
that they would compell men to believe by the power of the 
Sword, but to indeavour all may answer their profession, 
whether in Church Covenant or otherwise, by knowing they 
bare not the Sword in vaine. Neither doe they exercise civill 
power to bring all under their obedience to a uniformity in 
every poynt of Religion, but to keepe them in the unity of the 
spirit, and the bond of peace, nor yet have they ever mixed 
their civill powers with the authority peculiarly given by 
Christ to his Churches and Officers of them, but from time 
to time have laboured to uphold their priviledges, and only 
communion one with another/ 

The chiefe Court or supreame power of this little Com- 
monwealth, consists of a mixt company, part Aristocracy, 
and part Democracy of Magistrates, that are yearly chosen 
by the major Vote of the whole body of the Free-men through- 

' It cannot be necessary to point out the artless speciousness of this defence. 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 141 

out the Country; and Deputies chosen by the severall Townes.* 
They have hitherto had about 12. or 13. Magistrates in the 
Colony of the Mattacusets, the other Colonies have not above 
five or six, they have hitherto beene Volunteers, governing 
without pay from the people, onely the Governor of the 
Mattacusets hath some yeares 100 1, allowed him, and some 
years lesse. Many of the Magistrates are already remembred, 
yet with some of the first came hither Mr. Simon Brodestreet,' 
in this short Meeter is he remembred. 

Now Simon yong, step in among, these worthies take thy place: 

All day to toile in vinyard, while Christ thee upholds with grace; 
Thee wisdom grave betime he gave, and tongue to utter it, 

That thou mightst be a blessing free, and for this calling fit. 
Thy counsell well advis'd dost tell, with words ordered compleat. 

Thy memory, doth amplifie, meeting with matters great. 
Broad liberty, do thou deny, Brodstreet Christ would thee have 

For's truth contend, strong reason spend, it from aspersion save. 
He furnish't thee with these gifts free, to last he must them make, 

Still adding more, to thy old store, till he thee to him take. 

The Lord was pleased to furnish these his people with 
some able instruments in most of their Townes, that were 
skill 'd in Common- wealth work, out of which they chose their 
Deputies, whose number was ordinarily between 30. and 40. 
Some of them there will be occasion to speake of among their 
Military Men, but see here the Wonder-working Providence of 
Sions Saviour appears much in gathering together stones to 
build up the walls of Jerusalem (that his Sion may be sur- 
rounded with Bulworkes and Towres). With a whispering 

* In saying that the magistrates, or court of assistants, were "a mixt com- 
pany, part Aristocracy and part Democracy," Johnson perhaps refers to the 
fact that, though they were annually elected by the whole body of the freemen, 
the constant custom of re-election, and of choosing only those who had the stand- 
ing of gentlemen, made the board in some sense an oligarchy. Of the deputies, 
two were chosen for and by each town. Since 1644 the two bodies had sat as 
separate houses of a legislature. The governor, deputy-governor, and assistants 
also had executive and judicial powers not shared with the deputies. 

* See p. 65, note 1. The verses seem to contain a gentle rebuke to Brad- 
street for his action on the side of liberty in 1646, when he dissented openly from 
the action of his fellow-magistrates in fining Dr. Robert Child and his associates 
who petitioned on behalf of the unenfranchised citizens. 



142 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

word in the eares of his servants, he crosses the Angles of 
England from Cornewall to Kent, from Dover to Barwick, not 
leaving out Scotland and Wales; Wise men are perswaded to 
the worke without arguing like Elisha, when Elias cast his 
mantle on him, so these men make no stop, but say suffer me 
onely to sell my inheritance, and I will away for New England. 
And now I could wish our Brethren in England would not be 
angry with us for making such hast. Brethren, you know 
how the case stood with our Ministers, as it was with Gideon,* 
who could thresh out no Corne, but hee must doe it secretly 
to hide it from the Midianites, who spread the Land like 
Grashoppers, no more could they thresh and cleane up any 
Wheate for the Lords Garner, but the Prelates would pres- 
ently be upon their backs, and plow long furrowes there, and 
you may believe it, if you will (for it is certaine) many, had 
not this little number gone forth to blow their Trumpets, and 
breake their Pitchers, making the brightnesse of their Lamps 
appeare, surely the host of the Midianites had never been put 
to flight, and if still any of our Brethren shall contend with 
us, wee answer with Gideon, the Lord hath delivered into your 
hands the chiefe Princes of Midian, and what were we able to 
do in comparison of you; yet shall we not cease to follow on 
the worke of Reformation, although weake and faint, till the 
Lord be pleased to free his Israel from all their enemies; and 
verily England hath not wanted the Prayers of the poore 
people of Christ here. And also some of our chiefe helpes 
both for Church-worke, Military and common- wealth-worke ; ^ 
yet through the Lords mercy, we still retaine among our 

* Judges VI. 11. 

* When the Civil War broke out in England, in 1642, emigration to New 
England halted, and many important men went back to take part in the conflict 
or to share in the new liberty which they foresaw. Of those who are named be- 
low as remaining in the colony and taking a prominent part in the work of the 
House of Deputies, Hathorne (ancestor of Nathaniel Hawthorne) was speaker 
of the House six times, Russell five times, Atherton, Gookin, and Hill each once. 
Duncan was auditor-general from 1645. Gookin, a notable Virginian planter, 
retired from Virginia in 1644 when the Puritans were persecuted, was superin- 
tendent of the Massachusetts Indians for thirty years, and wrote a most interest- 
ing account of them. He was major-general of the colony from 1681 to 1687, 
Atherton from 1654 to 1661. Edward Rawson was its secretary from 1650 to 
the end of government under the old charter in 1686. William Hubbard was the 
father of the historian. 



1G37] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 143 

Democracy the godly Captaine William Hathorn, whom the 
Lord hath indued with a quick apprehension, strong memory, 
and rhetorick, volubillity of speech, which hath caused the 
people to make use of him often in publick service, especially 
when they have had to do with any forrein Government; 
Mr. Nathaniel Duncan, learned in the Latine and French 
tongue, a very good accountant. Wherefore he is called to the 
place of Auditor Generall for the County [Country]; Mr. 
John Glovar, a man strong for the truth, a plaine sincere 
godly man, and of good abilities; Captaine Daniel Gogkin, 
who was drawen hither from Virginia, by having his affection 
strongly set on the truths of Christ, and his pure Ordinances; 
being indued by the Lord with good understanding; Captaine 
William Tinge, sometime Treasurour for the County [Country], 
but being absent for some space of time in England, Mr. 
Richard Russell was chosen in his roome; Mr. Edward Raw- 
son, a young man, yet imployed in Common-wealth affaires 
a long time, being well beloved of the inhabitants of Newbery, 
having had a large hand in her Foundation; but of late he 
being of a ripe capacity, a good yeoman [penman] and eloquent 
inditer, hath beene chosen Secretary for the Country; Mr. 
William Hubbard of Iphshwich, a learned man, being well 
read in state matters: of a very affable and humble behaviour; 
who hath expended much of his Estate to helpe on this 
worke; although he be slow of speech, yet is hee down right 
for the businesse; Captaine Umphry Atherton, one of a 
cLeerfull spirit, and intire for the Count[r]y; Mr. Edward 
Jackson, one who cannot indure to see the truths of Christ 
trampled under foot by the erronious party, Eleazar Lusher 
one of the right stamp, and pure mettle, a gratious, humble and 
heavenly minded man; Mr. Joseph Hill, a man active for to 
bring the Lawes of the Count[r]y in order; * Mr. Whipple, one 
whose godly sincerity is much approved; Mr. Francis Norton, 
one of a cheerfull spirit, and full of love to the truth; Mr. 
Robert Paine, a right godly man, and one whose estate hath 
holpe on well with the worke of this little Common-wealth; 
Mr. William Torry, a good penman and skild in the Latine 
tongue, usually Clarke of the Deputies; the Survayor Generall 

• He was on committees with Johnson, for the work described in book in., 
chap, v., and perhaps had the leading part in it. 



144 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

of the Armies [Armes] of the Country, John Johnson, of an 
undanted spirit; Mr. WiUiam Parker [Parkes], a man of a 
pregnant understanding, and very usefull in his place. Many 
more would be named, but for tediousnesse, neither will it 
please the men more to be named, then not, for all are very 
willing to acknowledge their inability for the worke, and the 
best are not without many imperfections. 

The Authors end in naming some few is for none other end, 
but to make good the title of this Book and to incourage all 
the servants of Christ for time to come, wholely to rely upon 
him, when they go about any difficult work, which may tend 
to the glory of his Name. Who could have told these men, 
being scattered abroad throughout the Island of Great Brit- 
taine, they should meete on a Wildernesse nine hundred 
Leagues remote, and there keep Court together to study the 
preservation of Christs poore scattered flockes? nay brethren, 
when you first tooke book in hand to learne your Letters, 
you would have been very dull pates, but for this worke; 
assuredly, how you came by large inheritances, some of you, 
and estates of hundreds, and thousands, your selves best know, 
but believe it, the Lord intended it for this very work. The 
Earth is the Lords, and the fulnesse of it, then let none of the 
people of Christ mourn that they have spent their wealth in 
this Wildernesse, if it have holpe on the worke, rather re Joyce 
that Christ hath betrusted thee to be Steward for the King 
of Kings, and that in so noble an achievement the worthiest 
worke that the memory of our selves, and our fore-fathers can 
reach unto. 

And brethren, as for the good parts and gifts the Author 
hath commended you for, but for the edifying of the body of 
Christ, and assisting his people in this work, you had been 
empty of all good. 

And now seeing it is the opinion of many in these dayes of 
Reformation, that all sorts of Sectaries (that acknowledge a 
Christ) should be tolerated by civill Government, except 
Papist, and this Government hath hitherto, and is for future 
time resolved to practice otherwise (the Lord assisting) having 
met already with more blasphemous Sectaries, then are 
Papists; wherefore it will not be amisse if our Countrymen be 
acquainted with the one and twenty yeares experience of this 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 145 

Wildernesse worke, in point of Government. First, it is their 
judgment, and that from Scripture taught them, that those, 
who are chose to place of government, must be men truly 
fearing God, wise and learned in the truths of Christ, (if so) 
as hitherto it hath been New Englands practice, then surely 
such will be utterly unfit to tolerate all sorts of Sectaries, as 
because they have taken up Joshuas resolution, to serve the 
Lord ^ and a man cannot serve two Masters, much lesse many 
Masters; Then surely such as would have all sorts of sinfull 
opinions upheld by the civill government, must be sure to 
make choise of the most Atheisticall persons they can finde to 
governe, such as are right Gallios: ^ for N. E. hath found by 
experience that every man will most favour his own way of 
Profession, and labor tooth and naile to maintaine it, and if 
any have complied with other that have been of a contrary 
sinfull opinion to their own, it hath been, because they would 
have their own scape scot free, but assuredly the Lord Christ 
will allow of no such wayes for the favouring the professors of 
his truths, nor may any Magistrate doe evill that good may 
come of it, in favouring dangerous and deceivable doctrines, 
that others may favour the true servants of Christ, neither is 
there any such need, for it is their honours (if the will of God 
be so) to suffer, nor can the people of N. England (I meane the 
better part) be perswaded to set up any other to governe, 
but such are zealous for the maintainance of the truths of 
Christ; yet of late there is a buzzing noise, as if it were injury 
to the Churches for civill power to medle in matters of Religion, 
but to be sure there are many that strive for a Toleration, yet 
the people of Christ, who are the naturall Mothers of this 
Government, resolve never to see their living child so divided, 
looking at such a government to be no better to them, a living 
child divided in twaine; and therefore desires their loving 
Countrymen to beare with them in this point, and if any not- 
withstanding shall force it to be so, we shall shew our natural 
affection, and leave all to them, chusing rather to dwell on 
the backside of this Desert (a place as yet unaccessible) know- 
ing assuredly our God will appeare for our deliverance. Yet 
let them also know the Souldiers of Christ in N E. are not of 

' Joshua xxiv. 15. * Acts xxiii. 17. 



146 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

such a pusillanimous spirit, but resolve as that valiant Jeptha ' 
did to keep in possession, the Towns his God had given them, 
so we are resolved (the Lord willing) to keepe the government 
our God hath given us, and for witnesse hee hath so done, let 
this History manifest: for we chose not the place for the 
Land, but for the government, that our Lord Christ might 
raigne over us, both in Churches and Common- wealth, and 
although the Lord have been pleased by an extraordinary 
blessing upon his peoples industry to make the place fruitfull 
(as at this day indeed it is) yet all may know the land in it 
selfe is very sterrill, but the upholding of the truths of Christ, 
is chiefe cause why many have hitherto come : and further if 
the servants of Christ be not much mistaken, the downfall of 
Antichrist is at hand, and then the Kingdome[s] of the Earth 
shall become the Kingdome of our Lord Christ in a more 
peculiar manner, then now they are, and surely godly civill 
government shall have a great share in that worke, for they are 
exhorted to fill her double of the Cup, shee hath given to them; 
and also know our Magistrates, being conscious of ruhng for 
Christ, dare not admit of any bastardly brood to be nurst up 
upon their tender knees, neither will any Christian of a sound 
judgement vote for any, but such as earnestly contend for 
the Faith, although the increase of Trade, and traffique may 
be a great inducement to some. 

' Judges xi. 24. 



WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE OF SIONS 
SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 

[Book IL] 
Chap. I. 

The beginning of the relation of the Pequot war, and the great 
straites these wandering Jacobites were in. 

The great Jehovah, minding to manifest the multitude 
of his Mercies to the wandering Jacobites, and make an in- 
troduction to his following wonders, causeth the darke clouds 
of calamities to gather about them, presaging some terrible 
tempest to follow. With eyes full of anguish, they face to the 
right, upon the damnable Doctrines, as so many dreadfull 
Engines set by Satan to intrap their poore soules; Then cast- 
ing forth a left hand looke, the labour and wants accompan- 
ing a Desert, and terrible Wildernesse affright them. Their 
memories minding them of their former plenty, it much 
aggravated the present misery. When with thoughts of re- 
treating, they turne their backs about, the experienced in- 
cumbrances and deepe distresses of a dangerous Ocean hinders 
their thoughts of flight, besides the sterne looke of the Lordly 
Prelates, which would give them a welcome home in a fam- 
ishing prison. Then purposing to put on more stronger 
resolution, facing to the Front, behold a Messenger with 
sorrowfull tidings from their fellow brethren, that inhabited 
the bankes of the River Canectico,* who having audience, 
informes them of the great insolency, and cruell murthers 
committed by a barbarous and bloudy people called Pea- 
quods, upon the bodies of their indeared friends, these savage 

^ Connecticut. 
147 



148 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

Indians lying to the South-west of the Mattacusets/ were 
more warlike then their Neighbouring Nations, the Narrow- 
ganzet or Niantick Indians, although they exceeded them in 
number; ^ also Mawhiggins (who were the best friends of the 
English, and a chiefe instrumentall meanes of their sitting 
down there) stood much in feare of these Peaquods, which 
were big, swollen with pride at this time, facing the English 
Fort built on the mouth of the River ^ in their large Cannowes, 
with their Bowes and long Shafts, The English being then but 
weake in number and provision, were unable to manage the 
war against so numerous a company, being above thirty to 
one, yet their desires being beyond their meanes, they made 
some shot at them, forcing them to hast away faster then they 
willingly would. These Indians trusting in their great Troopes, 
having feasted their corps in a ravening manner, and leaving 
their fragments for their Sqawes, they sound an alarum with 
a full mouth, and lumbring voyce, and soone gather together 
without presse * or pay, their quarrell being as antient as 
Adams time, propagated from that old enmity betweene the 
Seede of the Woman, and the Seed of the Serpent,^ who was 
the grand signor of this war in hand, and would very gladly 
have given them a large Commission, had not his own power 
been limited, neither could he animate them so much as to 
take off the gastly looke of that King of terror, yet however 
at his command they arme themselves: casting their quiver 
at their backs with Bowes ready bent, they troope up some of 
them, being extraordinarily armed with Guns, which they 
purchast from the Dutch (who had assuredly paid deare for 
this their courteous humour, not long since, had not some 
English Volunteers rescued them from the Indians hands). 
The most of them were armed also with a small Hatchet on 
a long handle. They had a small number of Mawhawkes,' 
Hammers, which are made of stone, having a long pike on the 

' The Pequot country was what is now south-eastern Connecticut, from the 
Thames to the Rhode Island boundary. 

'The meaning apparently is, that the Narragansetts were more numerous 
than the Pequots. The latter probably numbered a thousand fighting men. 

^ The fort at Saybrook, built by Lion Gardiner in the preceding winter of 
1635-1636. 

* Impressment. * Genesis iii. 15. * Tomahawks, 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 149 

one side, and a hole in the handle, which they tie about their 
wrists. They neede not provisions follow their Camp; be- 
cause they are continually at home. But for their mats to 
shelter them from Raine or Snow, the Woods are as wellcome 
to them as their Wigwams, fire they can make in all places 
by chafing two sticks together. Their food is ready drest at 
all times, parching Indian Corne in their fire they pound it to 
meale, and with foure or five spoonfull of it cast into their 
mouths, and a sup or two of water, which they take up with 
a leafe of a Tree, this is their common repast, and indeed 
their chiefe viaticum. Thus furnisht for the war they troope 
away without any goodly equipage, to effect, as they suppose, 
some great designe, but within some few Miles of the Towne 
of Hartford, they were discovered by one of the English, who 
having with him a good Horse, hastens away to give intelli- 
gence of their approach, and by the way meeting with foure 
or five persons, hee advises them to haste away with all speed, 
for the Peaquods were at hand. The weaker Sex among them, 
being at this time not so credulous as they should have been, 
began to dispute the case with him, demanding what Peaquods 
they were, and questioning how they should come there; 
The horseman deeming it now no time for words, when the 
battell followed him so hard at the heeles, rod on his way, 
and soone after the sudden approach of the Indians forced 
them with feare to Scale to the truth of this evill tidings, 
and some of them with their dearest bloud; three Woemen- 
kinde they caught, and carried away, but one of them being 
more fearfull of their cruell usage afterward then of the losse 
of her life at present, being borne away to the thickest of the 
company, resisted so stoutly with scratching and biting, that 
the Indian, exasperated therewith, cast her downe on the 
Earth, and beate out her braines with his Hatchet, the other 
two maids they led away and returned, their Commission 
reaching no farther at present, having taken these two pris- 
oners they did not offer to abuse their persons, as was verily 
deemed they would, questioned them with such broken Eng- 
lish, as some of them could speak, to know whether they 
could make Gunpowder. Which when they understood they 
could not doe, their prize proved nothing so pretious a Pearle 
in their eyes as before; for seeing they exceeded not their 



150 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1G37 

own Squawes in Art, their owne thoughts informed them they 
would fall abundantly short in industry, and as for beauty 
they esteeme black beyond any colour. 

Wherefore their Sqawes use that sinfull art of painting 
their Faces in the hollow of their Eyes and Nose, with a 
shining black, out of which their tip of their Nose appeares 
very deformed, and their cheeke bone, being of a lighter 
swart black, on which they have a blew crosse dyed very 
deepe. 

This is the beauty esteemed by them, but yet their pride 
was much increased by this hostile Act of theirs, and the 
English were more and more contemned of them, not- 
withstanding the Dutch, who traded with these Indians, 
procured the Maides liberty againe. 

Chap. II. 

Of the couragious resolutions, the Lord indued these his People 
withall being invironed with many deepe distresses. 

After this Message delivered, these brood of Travilers 
being almost Non-plus't in their grave and sollid Counsells, 
deem it now high time to follow their old way, of making 
their complaint to the supreame judge of all the World, by 
way of Petition, who they knew right well, stood not as an 
idle spectator beholding his peoples Ruth, and their Enemies 
rage; But as an Actor in all actions to bring to naught the 
desires of the wicked, but [put] period to their power, divert 
their stroaks from his, to their own heads, bring glory to his 
Name, and good to his people from their most wicked malig- 
nity, having also the ordering of every weapon in its first 
produce, guiding every shaft that flies, leading each bullet to 
his place of setling, and Weapon to the wound it makes; yet 
he most righteous and holy in all his actions. To this great 
Lord Peramount, had these poore afflicted people accesse 
through the intercession of their Lord Christ, whose worke 
(though very weake to performe) they were now about, j 
wherefore casting themselves down at his feet in the sense of j 
their owne unworthinesse, that [they] desire him to doe his 
owne worke in them, and for them, that the Mountaines in j 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 151 

the way of Zerubbabel may become a plaine, and then laying 

open the great straites they were in to him, who knew them 

far better then themselves, they had this answer returned 

them, which if men dare deny, the Lord from Heaven hath, 

and shall further witnesse it; But before it be declared, let 

all men lay downe their interest they suppose they may have 

in procuring it, both English and others, that the glory of our 

Lord Christ may appeare in its splendor, to the danting of 

every proud heart, and for the perpetuall incouragement of 

all the Souldiers of Christ, even the meanest in his Armies: 

for the day of his high Power is come, yea, his appointed time 

to have mercy upon Sion is at hand, all you whose eyes of pity 

so see her in the dust, streame down with pear-like drops of 

compassion, a little mixture of the unconceiveable joy for 

the glorious worke of Christ, Now, now, I [ay] now in hand 

for the exalting of his glorious Kingdome, in preparing his 

Churches for himselfe, and with his own blessed hands wiping 

< away the teares that trickel downe her cheekes, drying her 

dankish eyes, and hushing her sorrowfull sobs in his sweete 

I bosome. This rightly believed, and meeting in the soule of 

1^ any poore Christian, will make the narrow affections of his 

; body too little to containe the present apprehensions of his 

;! Soule; And therefore wanting a vacuum to containe the 

fi strength of this new Wine, wonder not if it vent it selfe with 

i swift thrilling teares from the most tender part of the vessel!. 

fi And here the Author must needs intreate the charitable 

^ Reader to enlarge in the Closset of his own heart, for his folly 

', hee confesses in medling so meanly with such waighty matters, 

j] being blinded by eager affection, hee lost the sight of his great 

[J inability to the worke, when hee first set Pen to Paper. As 

I) the Lord surrounded his chosen Israel with dangers deepe to 

(1 make his miraculous deliverance famous throughout, and to 

i{ the end of the World, so here behold the Lord Christ, having 

egged a small handfull of his people forth in a forlorne Wilder- 

1 nesse, stripping them naked from all humane helps, plunging 

|1 them in a gulph of miseries, that they may swim for their 

1 lives through the Ocean of his Mercies, and land themselves 

1 safe in the armes of his compassion. 



152 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE ri637 



Chap. III. 

Of the Lords great deliverance of his New England People, from 
the fiouds of Errors that were bursting in among them. 

As for the great Mountaine[s] of proud erronious judge- 
ment on your right hand, the prayer of Faith shall remove 
them, and cast them into the depth of the Sea, and for the 
strengthning of your faith herein, because the Lord will have 
you depend on him in the use of his meanes, not miracle, hee 
hath purposely pitcht out for this very worke, some of his 
most orthodox servants, and chiefe Champions of his truth, 
able through his mercy to weld [wield] that bright Weapon 
of his Word prepared by the spirit for this purpose, to bring 
to the block these Traytours to his truths one by one, and 
behead them before your eyes. And for this very end they are 
to gather together as one Man in a Synodicall way,^ with a 
decisive power to undoe all the cunning twisted knots of 
Satans Malignity to the truths of Christ, opening the Scrip- 
tures by the power of his spirit, cleering Scripture by Scrip- 
ture, that nothing but the pure Word of God may take place; 
and that you may assuredly believe the Lord hath purposely 
called his Servants and Souldiers to this place by his Provi- 
dence to cut off this cursed spirit of Errours and Heresies, 
which hath but at first dog'd all Reformed Churches of Christ, 
There are for your further aid herein many more of these sin- 
cere Souldiers floating upon the great Ocean toward you, who 
will be with you before this Synod is set, that you may declare 
it in the Eares of all posterity, to be the very Finger of God in 
catching the proud in their owne craftinesse, who had hatch't 
their devices, thus to cast all the Ministers of Christ, except 
some one or two, under this censure of being prejudiced 
against their persons, and for the little remnant to labour 
with flattery to blinde their eyes, that at least they might not 
be against them. Seeing they could not procure them to take 

* A general council of the Congregational churches of New England, includ- 
ing both the ministers and representatives of the laity, sat at Cambridge from 
August 30 to September 22, 1637. It condemned eighty-two errors attributed to 
the Hutchinsonian party. 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 153 

their part, (to be sure when the grossenesse of their Errors 
were made known, they would not), by this meanes having 
their hopes exalted (in their owne apprehensions at least) to 
gaine the most of the people on their side. 

The Lord casts them downe from the proud Pinacle of 
their Machiavilian Plot, by bringing in more men of courage 
uninterested, yea, unknown to most of their persons, but for 
their errors, as strong to confute them as any, and more fit to 
wipe off the filme from the eyes of some of their brethren, 
which these Erronists by their Syccophancy had clouded. 

The time for the meeting of this Synod was to be in the 
seventh month following, commonly called September. The 
civ ill government well approving of their desires herein, were 
very willing to further them all they could, and in the meane 
time it was the worke of these valiant of the Lord, to search 
out, not for men and Womens persons, but their errors, which 
they gathered up from all parts, willing all that would or could 
defend them to use their best meanes, like as Jehu when he 
was to execute the judgements of the Lord upon Ahabs 
bloudy household, would have had his servants defend their 
Masters Children if they could, ^ onely you must understand 
there was but 70. Sons, and here was 80. Errors, of which you 
shall further hear when the time comes. 



Chap. IV. 

Of the abundant mercies of Christ in providing liberall supply 
for his New England People, in regard of their outward 
man, Food, Rayment and all other necessaries and con- 
veniencies. 

Now for the hardships on the left hand, they had as good 
an answer as in the former; their Christ had not saved their 
lives from the raging Seas to slay them in the Wildernesse 
with Famine; your life is much more pretious in the eyes of 
the Lord then food, and your bodies then rayment: yea, the 
Lord of Heaven, who hath honoured you so far as to imploy 
you in this glorious worke of his, knowes you must have these 

' II Kings X. 1-3. 



154 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

things, and it was not you, deare hearts, that chose this place, 
but the Lord, as seeing it most fit to doe his worke in, knowing 
that had you met with a Rich Land filled with all plenty, 
your heart would have beene taken off this worke, which he 
must have done. But to strengthen your Faith in this point 
also, you shall see hee who commanded the Fruits to spring 
out of the Earth, when none were, can much more cause this 
corner of the Earth to be fruitfull to you, and this you shall 
attaine by meanes; although hee have caused the Foules of 
the Aire, the Grasse of the Field to depend upon him in a 
more immediate manner, yet you hath he taught to Sow, 
Reape, carry into Barnes, and Spin, and indeed herein the 
Lord hath answered his people abundantly to the wonder of 
all that see or hear of it ; And that whereas at their first com- 
ming it was a rare matter for a man to have foure or five 
Acres of Corne, now many have four or five score, and to pre- 
vent men from Sacrificing to their Nets, the Lord hath taught 
them to labour with more ease: to great admiration also in- 
larg'd it, for it was with sore labour that on [one] man could 
Plant and tend foure Acres of Indians Graine, and now with 
two Oxen hee can Plant and tend 30. Besides the Lord hath 
of late altered the very course of the Heavens in the season of 
the weather, that all kinde of graine growes much better then 
heretofore; Insomuch that Marchandizing being stopped at 
present, they begin question what to do with their Corne. 

Chap. V. 

Of the wonderfull deliverance wrought hy the Lord Christ, for his 
poore New England Churches, in freing them from the fear 
of their Malignant adversaries, who fordt them to this 
Wildernesse. 

And now to the third and great distresse, which lay be- 
hind them by reason of their back friends, the Lording Bishops, 
and other Malignant adversaries, being daily exasperated 
against them, and in especiall at this time by one Morton, who 
named himselfe the Host of Merrimount, who wanted not 
malice, could he possible have attained meanes to effect it; 
But the Lord Christ prevented both him and his Masters, 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 155 

whom with flattery he sought to please with scurrillous de- 
riding the servants of Christ, to bring them into contempt/ 
yet the Lord prevented all, and delivered this wretched fellow 
into his peoples hands againe after all this, who dealt as fa- 
vourably with him as David did with Shimmei.^ Besides this, 
the evill usage that many of the beloved servants of Christ 
had from the hands of those in office at their departure, de- 
clared plainely, that there were some, who would willingly 
have pursued them to bring them under bondage againe. 
Herein their answer was that they should stand still, and see 
the salvation of the Lord, who was now resolved to fight for 
them against his and their implacable enemies; although 
more mighty than they: and indeed all meanes of resistance 
in the hand of man being so small, that it could not possible 
bee discerned by any mortall eye ; yet will the Lord worke by 
means and not by miracle ; when the Lord called forth Joshua 
to fight with Amaleck, his Moses must be in the Mount at 
Prayers; seeing this answer deeply concernes the dearly be- 
loved of our Lord Christ remaining in England, let them listen 
to the answer.^ 

Also how came it to passe that the Lord put it into your 
hearts to set upon a Reformation, was it not by prayer at- 
tained? You are not excluded, although the Churches of 
Christ here are for the present in the Mount, and you in the 
Vally fighting, yet surely they had neede of helpe to hold up 
their hands, whereas the nerenesse of the danger to you in the 
enemies overcoming, is a great motive to keepe up yours stedy, 
yet may you say rightly to the Churches of Christ here, as 

» The allusion is to Thomas Morton's New English Canaan (London, 1637), 
which gives an amusing but scurrilous account of the Puritan regime in New 
England and of what the graceless author suffered at Puritan hands. 

2 II Samuel xix. 18-22. The parallel is none too close. David pardoned 
Shimei for his sedition. When Thomas Morton injudiciously came within reach 
of the magistrates of Massachusetts, six years after the publication of his book, 
they kept him in prison for a year and fined him a hundred pounds. 

3 Exodus xvii. 8-13. The voluble harangue which fills the remainder of 
the chapter is such an intricate mosaic of Scripture texts that to identify them all 
in foot-notes would be cumbersome and probably useless. Its main purport, 
as may easily be seen, is to express the sympathy of the New England Puritans 
with tiiose of Old England in the successful struggle the latter had waged against 
prelacy. 



156 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

Mordachy to Hester the Queene, if you hold your peace dehv- 
erance shall come another way, and thinke not to escape, be- 
cause you are in New England; Assuredly the Lord is doing 
great things, and waites for the prayers of his people that he 
may be gratious unto them, and verily the poore Churches of 
Christ heere cannot but take notice of the great workes the 
Lord hath done for you of late, which are famous throughout 
the whole World; And should they not take them as an 
answer of these weake prayers, they feare they should neglect 
to magnify his mercy toward you, and them: the noble acts 
of the Lord Christ, for the freedome of his people from that 
intolerable Prelaticall bondage, are almost miraculously com- 
mitted to memory by the able servants of Christ, whom hee 
hath stirred up for that very end, yet must you not shut out 
the valiant souldiers of Christ (disciplined in this unwonted 
Wildernesse) from having share with you in the worke, yet no 
farther but that Christ may be all in all : who hath caused the 
Midianites to fight against Midian, till the true Israelites had 
gathered themselves together, hee it is that hath brought the 
counsells of the wicked to naught, hee it is that hath discov- 
ered the secret plottings of the King of Assyria, even in his 
Bedchamber; Hee it is that hath declared himself to be with 
your mighty men of valour, and assuredly all you valiant 
Souldiers of Christ, both in one England and the other, the 
Lord hath shewed you as great signes and wonders for the 
strengthening of your faith, as was the wetting and drying of 
the fleece to Gedeon, onely beware of setting up an Ephod in 
the latter end; Let the Churches of Christ be set up according 
to his first institution, or you will make double worke, for all 
may see by what is done already, there is nothing too hard 
for him. Hee will downe with all againe and againe, till his 
Kingdom alone be exalted, for the which all the Israel of God 
fight, wrastle, pray, and here you may see the servants of 
Christ fighting at 900 leagues distant. 

Oh you proud Bishops, that would have all the World 
stoope to your Lordly power, the heathen Romans your pred- 
ecessors, after they had banished John to the Isle of Path- 
mos, suffered him quietly to in joy the Revelation of Jesus 
Christ there; here is a people that have betaken themselves 
to a newfound World, distanced from you with the widest 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 157 

Ocean the World affords, and yet you grudge them the purity 
of Christs Ordinances there. No wonder then, nay wonder all 
the World at the sudden and unexpected downfall of these 
domineering Lords, who had Princes to protect them, armes 
to defend them, and almost three whole Kingdomes at their 
command; and no enemy of theirs in sight, onely there ap- 
peares a little cloud about the bignesse of a mans hand out of 
the W^esterne Ocean, I [ay] but the Lord Christ is in it, out of 
Sion the perfection of beauty hath God shined. Our God 
shall come, and shall not keepe silence, a Fire shall devour 
afore him, and mighty tempests shall be moved round about 
him. Now gather together you King-like Bishops, and make 
use of all the Kingly power you can, for the cloud is suddenly 
come up, he rode upon Cherub and did flie. And now let the 
Children of Sion rejoyce in their King, for the Lord hath 
pleasure in his people, hee will make the meeke glorious by 
deliverance; And that the whole Earth may know it is the 
Lords owne worke, the Arch-prelate and his complices must 
begin to war with the Scots, and that implacably; ^ the Pre- 
lates desire a Parliament thinking to establish iniquity by a 
Law, but the iniquity of the Ammorites is already full, and all 
i your cunning counsells shall but contrive your owne destruc- 
tion; They remonstrant against all Acts of Parliament that 
passe without their Vote, and by this means wind out them- 
selves for ever voting more,^ they devise how they may have 
such persons committed to prison as favour not their pro- 
ceeding. 

But the Lord turned their mischiefe they had conceived 
upon their own pates, and they themselves were sent to prison 
by halfe a score at a time; And such was the unsavourynesse 
of this seeming salt, that it was good for nothing, but to Lord 
it over others. Their tyranny being taken out of their hands, 
they could not indure to be commanded by any; And there- 
fore unfit for the war which they stirred up, to recover the 

'The invasion of Scotland by Charles I., in the spring of 1639, to meet the 
insurrection excited by Archbishop Laud's attempt to re-establish episcopacy 
,j in that country. 

p * Twelve protesting bishops declared the nullity of all votes passed by the 

n lords while the prelates were absent through fear of the multitude; whereupon 
t| Parliament passed, in February, 1642, an act excluding all the bishops. 



158 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

people againe under their bondage, yet such was the mad- 
nesse of some, that they loved their servitude so well as to 
fight for it; but surely such had never rightly knowne the 
service of the Lord Christ, which is perfect freedome from all 
such tyrannous yoaks, and verily just it is with the Lord to 
cause such to be servants unto Shishak,^ that they may know 
the service of the Lord, and the service of the Kingdomes of 
the Country, But however an Army is raised to defend their 
Lordly dignity; Let the Saints be joyfull with glory, let the 
high Acts of God be in their mouths, and a two edged Sword 
in their hands, to bind their Kings in chaines, and their 
Nobles in fetters of Iron. The Charets of the Lord are twenty 
thousand thousands of Angells, the Lord is among them as in 
Sinai, Kings of Armies did flee apace ; and now you that have 
borne such a wicked spirit of malignity against the people of 
Christ, can your hearts indure, and your hands wax strong in 
the day that he shall have to doe with you? Oh you proud 
Prelates that boast so much of your taking the Kings part, 
miserable partakers are you; in stead of obeying him, you 
have caused him to obey you, its writ in such great capitall 
letters that a child may read it : what was the cause of the first 
raising war against the Scots which occasioned the Parlia- 
ment? When you saw they would not further the war as 
you would have them, they were soone traytors in your ac- 
count, and prosecuted against with Army after army, and 
was not all this to make the Scots receive your Injunctions? 
A very fayer bottom to build a bloudy war upon, that the 
Prelatticall power might Lord it in Scotland, as they of a 
long time had done in England: it was your Pithagorian 
Phylosophy that caused the King to loose his Life, by per- 
swading him his Kingly power lived in your Lordly dignity, 
as a thing subordinate unto it, and he so deeply taken with 
this conceit, that it cost the lives of many thousands more 
then ever hee, or his Father, would doe for saving or recover- 
ing the Pallatine Country.^ 

* II Chronicles xii. 8. 

* In the eyes of the Puritan party it was a most culpable offence on the 
part of both James and Charles, that in 1621-1626 they did nothing effectual to 
aid James's son-in-law, the Protestant Frederick V., elector palatine and king of 
Bohemia, to defend himself and the Palatinate from Austrian and Spanish conquest 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 159 

Experience hath taught the savage Indians, among whom 
we Hve, that they may and doe daily bring Wolves to be tame, 
but they cannot breake them of their ravening nature, and I 
would your Royalist would learne of them to know, that as 
your Lord Bishops, Deanes, Prebends, etc. be right whelps of 
the Roman litter, so let them be never so well tam'd, they will 
retaine their nature still, to Lord it over all kinde of Civill 
Government; But woe and alasse that ever any of our Coun- 
trymen should be so blind, that after they are delivered from 
so great a bondage by such Wonder working Providence of the 
Lord Christ ; Ever and anon to indeavour to make a Captaine 
over them, that they may returne againe into Egypt, as ap- 
peares by the plots which have been discovered, and broken 
in pieces by the right hand of the most high, and yet for all 
this their's such a hankering after somewhat of the Prelaticall 
greatnesse, by the English Clergy, and the Scottish Classis, 
that many of them could afford to raise another war for it.^ 
But brethren I beseech you be more wiser, lest when you are 
growne hot in your quarrell, the Malignant party come and 
set you agreed. Stablish peace in righteousnesse, and let the 
word be your rule, heare one another with meekeness, and the 
Lord will cleare up the whole truth unto you in his due time; 
And now to declare plainly how far the Lord hath beene 
pleased to make use of any of his people in these Westerne 
parts, about this Worke, for to say truth they have done 
nothing in holes and corners, but their workes are obvious to 
all the World : if the sufferings of the Saints be pretious in the 
eyes of Christ, so as to provoke him in displeasure to cut ofif 
the occasioners thereof, then thus his poore unworthy people 
here have had a great stroake in the downfall of their adver- 
saries to the present possessed truths of Christ, for this wilder- 
nesse worke hath not beene carried on without fighthings that 
have come before him, and Groanes that have entred his eares, 
and Teares treasured up in his bottles. Againe, if the ardent 
and strong affections of the people of God, for his glorious 
comming to advance his Kingdome in the splendor and purity 
of his Gospell, as to cry with the holy Prophet, ''Oh that he 
would breake the Heavens and come down," be regarded of 

» "New Presbyter is but old Priest writ large," said Milton. 



160 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

the Lord Christ, so as to remove with his mighty power the 
very Mountaines out of the way, and hurle them into the 
deepe; Then hath these weake wormes instrumentally had a 
share in the great desolation the Lord Christ hath wrought. 
For this History will plainely declare with what zeale and 
deepe affection, and unresistable resolutions, these pilgrim 
people have endeavoured the gathering together his Saints, 
for the edifying the Body of Christ, that he may raign both 
Lord and King for ever. 

Yet againe, if the prayers of the faithfull people of God 
availe any thing for the accomplishment of his promises, in 
the destruction of Antichrist, for the subduing of Armies 
without striking one stroake; Then assuredly these Jacobites 
have wrestled with the Lord, not onely (with that good King 
Jekoshaphat) ^ proclaiming one Fast, but many Fasts, they, 
their Wives and little ones standing before the Lord; Oh our 
God wilt thou not judge them for we have no might, etc. 
Lastly, if the Lord himselfe have roared from Sion, (as in the 
dayes of the Prophet Amos) ^ so from his Churches in New 
England, by a great and terrible Earthquake (which happened 
much about the time the Lordly Prelates were preparing their 
injunctions for Scotland).^ Taking rise from the West, it 
made its progresse to the Eastward, causing the Earth to rise 
up and downe like the waves of the Sea; having the same 
effect on the Sea also, causing the Ships that lay in the Harbor 
to quake, the which, at that very time, was said to be a signe 
from the Lord to his Churches, that he was purposed to shake 
the Kingdomes of Europes Earth, and now by his providences 
brought to passe, all men may reade as much and more : as if 
he should have said to these his scattered people (yet now 
againe united in Church Covenant) the Lord is now gathering 
together his Armies, and that your faith may be strengthened, 
you shall feele and heare the shakings of the Earth by the 
might of his power: yea, the Sea also, to shew he will ordaine 
Armies both by Sea and Land to make Babilon desolate; 
Things thus concurring as an immediate answer of the Lord 
to his peoples prayers and endeavours, caused some of this 

» II Chronicles xx. 1-21. » Amos i. 2. 

» Earthquakes of June 1, 1638, and January 14, 1639. See bk. ii., ch. xil., 
post, and Winthrop, I. 270, 292. 



1637] OF SIONS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 161 

little handfuU with resolute courage and boldnesse to returne 
againe to their native Land, that they might (the Lord accept- 
ing and assisting them in their endeavours) be helpfull in ad- 
vancing the Kingdome of Christ, and casting down every 
strong house of sinne and Satan. It matters not indeed who 
be the instruments, if with the eye of faith these that go forth 
to fight the Lords Battailes, can but see and heare the Lord 
going out before them against their enemies, with a sound in 
the tops of the Mulbery Trees. Here are assuredly evident 
signes that the Lord Christ is gone forth for his peoples de- 
liverance, and now Frogs, Flies, Lice or Dust, shall serve to 
destroy those [who] will yet hold his people in bondage, not- 
withstanding the Lord will honour such as hee hath made 
strong for himself; And therefore hee causeth the worthies 
in Davids time to be recorded, and it is the duty of Gods 
people to incourage one another in the worke of the Lord, 
then let all whose hearts are upright for the Lord, ponder well 
his goings in his Sanctuary, that their hands may be strength- 
ened in the work they goe about, onely be strong and of a 
good courage. 

Chap. VI. 

Of the gratious goodnesse of the Lord Christ, in saving his New 
England people, from the hand of the barbarous Indians. 

Lastly, for the frontispiece of their present distresse, 
namely the Indian war, they with much meeknesse and great 
deliberation, wisely contrived how they might best helpe 
their fellow brethren; hereupon they resolved to send a 
solemne Embassage to old Cannonicus, chiefe Sachem of the 
narrow Ganset ^ Indians, who being then well stricken in 
yeares had caused his nephew Miantinemo to take the Govern- 

' Narragansett. The embassy to Canonicus is related so minutely and so 
vividly as to make it reasonable to conclude that Johnson was of the party, though 
Winthrop names only Edward Gibbons and John Higginson, with Cutshamekin, 
sagamore of Massachusetts. The Narragansetts dwelt in what is now southern 
Rhode Island. Their number of fighting men was probably some 1,500 or 2,000. 
If they had combined with the Pequots against the colonists, the latter might have 
been exterminated. That they were persuaded not to make this dangerous com- 
bination was due largely to the intercession of Roger Williams, whom they much 
regarded. 



162 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

ment upon him, who was a very sterne man, and of a great 
stature, of a cruell nature, causing all his Nobility and such 
as were his attendance to tremble at his speech. The people 
under his Government were very numerous, besides the Nian- 
tick Indians, whose Prince was of neare aliance unto him; 
They were able to set forth, as was then supposed, 30000. 
fighting men. The English sought by all meanes to keepe 
these at least from confederating with the Pequods, and un- 
derstanding by intelligence, that the Pequots would send to 
them for that end, endeavoured to prevent them. Fit and able 
men being chosen by the English, they hast them to Cannon- 
icus Court, which was about fourescore miles from Boston. 

The Indian King hearing of their comming, gathered to- 
gether his chiefe Counsellors, and a great number of his Sub- 
jects to give them entertainment, resolving as then that the 
young King should receive their message, yet in his hearing. 
They arriving, were entertain'd royally, with respect to the 
Indian manner. Boil'd Chesnuts is their White-bread, which 
are very sweet, as if they were mixt with Sugar; and because 
they would be extraordinary in their feasting, they strive for 
variety after the English manner, boyling Puddings made of 
beaten corne, putting therein great store of black berryes, 
somewhat like Currants. They having thus nobly feasted 
them, afterward give them Audience, in a State-house,^ 
round, about fifty foot wide, made of long poles stuck in the 
ground, like your Summer-houses in England, and covered 
round about, and on the top with Mats, save a small place 
in the middle of the Roofe, to give light, and let out the 
smoke. 

In this place sate their Sachim, with very great attendance; 
the English comming to deliver their Message, to manifest the 
greater state, the Indian Sachim lay along upon the ground, 
on a Mat, and his Nobility sate on the ground, with their legs 
doubled up, their knees touching their chin; with much sober 

*An early use of a term the history of which Mr. Albert Matthews has 
elaborated in the Publications of the Colonial Society oj Massachusetts, VIII. 
14-26. Its development, in the sense in which we now use it (state capitol), has 
been peculiar to America. The sense in which Johnson uses it, and out of which 
the modern use grew, is that of "house of state," "house belonging to the body 
politic," to wit, the tribe of the Narragansetts. 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 163 

gravity they attend the Interpreters speech. It was matter 
of much wonderment to the Enghsh, to see how soHdly and 
wisely these savage people did consider of the weighty under- 
taking of a War; especially old Canonicus, who was very dis- 
creet in his answers. The young Sachem was indeed of a 
more lofty spirit, which wrought his ruine, as you may heare, 
after the decease of the old King. But at this time his answer 
was, that he did willingly embrace peace with the English, 
considering right well, that although their number was but 
small in comparison of his people, and that they were but 
strangers to the Woods, Swamps, and advantagious places of 
this Wildernesse, yet withall he knew the English were ad- 
vantaged by their weapons of War, and especially their Guns, 
which were of great terror to his people, and also he had heard 
they came of a more populous Nation by far than all the Ind- 
ians were, could they be joyn'd together. Also on the other 
hand, with mature deliberation, he was well advised of the 
Peaquods cruell disposition and aptnesse to make War, as 
also their neere neighbourhood to his people, who though they 
were more numerous, yet were they withall more effeminate, 
and lesse able to defend themselves from the sudden incur- 
sions of the Peaquods, should they fall out with them. Here- 
J upon hee denies it most conducing to his owne and his peoples 
'" safety to direct his course in a middle way, holding amity with 
: both. The English returne home, having gained the old 
^ Kings favour so farre, as rather to favour them then the 
Pequods, who perceiving their Neighbouring English ^ had 
sent forth aid to the Mattacusets government, thought it high 
time to seeke the winning all the Indians they could on their 
side, and among others they make their addresse to old Can- 
nonicus, who, instead of taking part with them, labours all he 
can to hush the War in hand, laying before them the sad 
effects of War; sometimes proving sad and mournfull to the 
3 very Victors themselves, but alwayes to the vanquished, and 
withall tells them what potent enemies they had to contend 
j with, whose very weapons and Armor were matter of terror, 
setting their persons a side; as also that English man was no 
much hoggery yet, and therefore they might soone appease 

' The Connecticut men, both those at Gardiner's fort of Saybrook and those 
up the river at Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield. 



164 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

them, by delivering into their hands those persons that had 
beene the death of any of them, which were much better than 
that the whole Nation should perish. J I 

For the present the Pequods seemed to be inclinable to 
the old Sachims counsell, but being returned home againe 
among their rude multitude (the chief place of cowardly 
boasting) they soon change their minde; yet the old Sachim 
sends the English word he had wrought with them, and in 
very deed, the English had rather make choice of Peace then 
Warre, provided it may stand with Truth and Righteousnesse: 
and therefore send forth a band of Souldiers, who arriving in 
the Peaquod Country, address themselves to have a Treaty 
with them about delivering up the murtherers; they making 
shew of willingness so to doe bade them abide awhile and they 
would bring them, and in the mean time they were conversant 
among the Souldiers, and viewing their Armie,^ pointed to 
divers places where they could hit them with their Arrowes 
for all their Corslets. But their greatest number lying the 
while at the other side of a great hill, and anon appearing on 
the top of the hill, in sight of the English, those Indians that 
were among the English withdrawing toward them, no sooner 
were they come to their Companions, but all of a suddaine 
they gave a great shout, and shewed the English a fair pair of 
heeles, who seeing it would not availe any thing to follow 
them (they being farre swifter of foot than the English) made 
their returne home againe.^ 

This bootlesse voyage incouraged the Indians very much, 
who insulted over them at the fort, boasting of this their 
deluding them, and withall, they blasphemed the Lord, say- 
ing Englishmans God was all one Flye, and that English man 
was all one Sqawe, and themselves all one Moor-hawks. 
Thus by their horrible pride they fitted themselves for destruc- 
tion. The English hearing this report, were now full assured 
that the Lord would deliver them into their hands to execute 
his righteous judgement upon these blasphemous murtherers; 
and therefore raised fresh Souldiers for the warre, to the num- 

• Armor. 

* This first unsuccessful expedition or reconnoissance was made by a body 
of Massachusetts troops, sent out by Governor Vane in August, 1636, under 
command of Endicott. 



1637J OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 165 

ber of fourscore, or thereabout/ out of the severall towns in 
the Matachusets, and although they were but in their begin- 
nings, yet the Lord, who fore-intended their work, provided 
for all their wants, and indeed it was much that they had any 
bisket to carry with them in these times of scarcity, or any 
vessels to transport their men and ammunition: yet all was 
provided by the gracious hand of the most high; and the 
Souldiers, many of them, not onely armed with outward 
weapons, and armour of defence, but filled with a spirit of 
courage and magnanimity to resist, not onely men, but Devils; 
for surely he was more than ordinaryly present with this Ind- 
ian army, as the sequell will shew: as also for their further 
incouragement, the reverend and zealously affected servant 
of Christ, Mr. John Wilson, went with the army, who had 
treasured up heaps of the experimental! goodnesse of God 
towards his people. Having formerly passed through perils 
by Sea, perils by Land, perils among false brethren, etc. he 
followed the warre purposely to sound an alarum before the 
Lord with his silver trumpet, that his people might be re- 
membred before him: the Souldiers arriving in safety at the 
towne of Hartford, where they were encouraged by the rev- 
erend Ministers there, with some such speech as followes. 

Fellow-Souldiers, Country-men, and Companions in this Wilder- 
nesse worke, who are gathered together this day by the inevitable 
providence of the great Jehovah, not in a tumultuous manner hurried 
on by the floating fancy of every high hot headed braine, whose ac- 
tions prove abortive, or if any fruit brought forth, it hath beene rape, 
theft, and murther, things inconsisting with natures light, then much 
lesse with a Souldiers valour; but you, my deare hearts, purposely 
pickt out by the godly grave Fathers of this government, that your 
prowesse may carry on the work, where there Justice in her righteous 
course is obstructed, you need not question your authority to exe- 
cute those whom God, the righteous Judge of all the world, hath 
condemned for blaspheming his sacred Majesty, and murthering his 
Servants: every common Souldier among you is now installed a 
Magistrate; then shew your selves men of courage. I would no/ 

'The whole Massachusetts levy was 160. There are interesting accounts 
of the Pequot war, of May, 1637, by each of the three chief commanders against 
them: Captain John Mason's Brief History of the Pequod War, Captain John 
Underhill's Newes from New England, and Lion Gardiner's Relation of the Pequot 
Wars. 



166 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

draw low the height of your enemies hatred against you, and so de- 
base your valour. This you may expect, their swelling pride hath 
laid the foundation of large conceptions against you and all the 
people of Christ in this wildernesse, even as wide as Babels bottome. 
But, my brave Souldiers, it hath mounted already to the clouds, and 
therefore it is ripe for confusion; also their crueltie is famously 
knowne, yet all true-bred Souldiers reserve this as a common maxime, 
cruelty and oowardize are unseparable companions; and in briefe, 
there is nothing wanting on your enemies part, that may deprive you 
of a compleat victory, onely their nimbleness of foot, and the unac- 
cessible swamps and nut-tree woods, forth of which your small num- 
bers may intice, and industry compell them. And now to you I put 
the question, who would not fight in such a cause with an agile 
spirit, and undaunted boldnesse ? yet if you look for further encour- 
agement, I have it for you; riches and honour are the next to a good 
cause eyed by every Souldier, to maintain your owne, and spoile 
your enemies of theirs; although gold and silver be wanting to either 
of you, yet have you that to maintaine which is farre more precious, 
the lives, libertyes, and new purchased freedomes, priviledges, and 
immunities of the indeared servants of our Lord Christ Jesus, and of 
your second selves, even your affectionated bosome-mates, together 
with the chiefe pledges of your love, the comforting contents of 
harmlesse pratling and smiling babes; and in a word, all the riches 
of that goodnesse and mercy that attends the people of God in the 
injoyment of Christ, in his Ordinances, even in this life; and as for 
honour, David was not to be blamed for enquiring after it, as a due 
recompence of that true valour the Lord hath bestowed on him: 
and now the Lord hath prepared this honour for you, oh you cour- 
agious Souldiers of his, to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and 
correction among the people, to binde their Kings in chaines, and 
Nobles in fetters of Iron, that they may execute upon them the judge- 
ments that are written! this honour shall be to all his Saints. But 
some of you may suppose deaths stroke may cut you short of this: 
let every faithfuU Souldier of Christ Jesus know, that the cause why 
some of his indeared Servants are taken away by death in a just warre 
(as this assuredly is) it is not because they should fall short of the 
honours accompanying such noble designes, but rather because 
earths honours are too scant for them, and therefore the everlasting 
Crown must be set upon their heads forthwith. Then march on 
with a cheerfuU Christian courage in the strength of the Lord and 
the power of his might, who will forthwith inclose your enemies in 
your hands, make their multitudes fall under your warlike weapons, 
and your feet shall soon be set on their proud necks. 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 167 

After the Ministers of Christ had, through the grace that 
was given them, exhorted and encouraged these Souldiers 
appointed for the work, they being provided with certaine 
Indian guides, who with the close of the day brought them to 
a small river, where they could perceive many persons had 
been dressing of fish; upon the sight thereof, the Indian 
guides concluded they were now a feasting it at their fort, 
which was hard at hand.^ The English calling a Councill of 
warre, being directed by the speciallest providence of the most 
high God, they concluded to storm the fort a little before 
break of day; at which time they supposed the Indians being 
up late in their jolly feasting, would bee in their deepest sleepe; 
and surely so it was, for they now slept their last : the English 
keeping themselves as covertly as they could, approached the 
fort at the time appointed, which was builded of whole Trees 
set in the ground fast, and standing up an end about twelve 
foot high, very large, having pitcht their Wigwams within it, 
the entrance being on two sides, with intricate Meanders to 
enter. The chiefe Leaders of the English made some little 
stand before they offered to enter, but yet boldly they rushed 
on, and found the passages guarded at each place with an 
Indian Bow-man, ready on the string, they soone let fly, and 
wounded the formost of the English in the shoulder, yet having 
dispatch'd the Porters, they found the winding way in without 
a Guide, where they soone placed themselves round the Wig- 
wams, and according to direction they made their first shot 
with the muzzle of their Muskets downe to the ground, know- 
ing the Indian manner is to lie on the ground to sleep, from 
which they being in this terrible manner awakened, unlesse it 
were such as were slaine with the shot. 

After this some of the English entered the Wigwams, 
where they received some shot with their Arrowes, yet catch- 
ing up the fire-brands, they began to fire them, and others of 
the English Soulders with powder, did the same : the day now 

' The Pequots' fort stood on the western side of the Mystic River, near the 
present site of Mystic, Conn. Mason, after a demonstration on the western bor- 
der of their territory, surprised them by making his attack from the eastward, 
after a march through the neutral territory of the Narragansetts. Underbill 
gives a diagram of the fort, which may be seen reproduced in Palfrey's History 
of New England, I. 466. 



168 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

began to break ; the Lord intending to have these murtherers 
know he would looke out of the cloudy pillar upon them : and 
now these women and children set up a terrible out-cry; the 
men were smitten down, and slaine, as they came forth with 
a great slaughter, the Sqawes crying out, oh much winn it ^ 
English-man, who moved with pitty toward them, saved their 
lives: and hereupon some young youth cryed, I squaw, I 
squaw, thinking to finde the like mercy. There were some of 
these Indians, as is reported, whose bodyes were not to be 
pierced by their sharp rapiers or swords of [for] a long time, 
which made some of the Souldiers think the Devil was in 
them, for there were some Powwowes ^ among them, which 
work strange things with the help of Satan. But this was 
very remarkable, one of them being wounded to death, and 
thrust thorow the neck with a halbert; yet after all, lying 
groaning upon the ground, he caught the halberts speare in 
his hand, and wound it quite round. After the English were 
thus possessed of this first victory, they sent their prisoners 
to the pinnaces, and prosecute the warre in hand, to the next 
Battalia of the Indians, which lay on a hill about two miles 
distant, and indeed their stoutest Souldiers were at this place, 
and not yet come to the fort; the English being weary with 
their night worke, and wanting such refreshing as the present 
worke required, began to grow faint, yet having obtained one 
victory, they were very desirous of another: and further, 
they knew right- well, till this cursed crew were utterly rooted 
out, they should never be at peace ; therefore they marched 
on toward them.^ Now assuredly, had the Indians knowne 
how much weakned our Souldiers were at present, they 
might have born them downe with their multitude, they 
being very strong and agile of body, had they come to handy- 
gripes; but the Lord (who would have his people know their 
work was his, and he onely must order their Counsels, and 

* Match winnet, very good. ' Medicine-men. 

* In reality Mason, after the destruction of the fort and the slaughter of 
several hundred of the Pequots, contented himself with holding in check the 
second body of Indians encountered and making good his retreat to the fort at 
Saybrook. The pursuit of the remaining Pequots into the swamp near New Haven, 
resulting almost in the extermination of the tribe, was the work of a fresh expedi- 
don, in July. 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 1G9 

war-like work for them) did bring them timely supply from 
the vessels, and also gave them a second victory, wherein they 
slew many more of their enemies, the residue flying into a 
very thick swamp, being unaccessible, by reason of the boggy 
holes of water, and thick bushes; the English drawing up their 
company beleagered the swamp, and the Indians in the mean 
time skulking up and down, and as they saw opportunity 
they made shot with their Arrowes at the English, and then 
suddainly they would fall flat along in the water to defend 
themselves from the retalliation of the Souldiers Muskets. 
This lasted not long, for our English being but a small number, 
had parted themselves far asunder, but by the providence of 
the most high God, some of them spyed an Indian with a 
kettle at his back going more inwardly into the swamp, by 
which they perceived there was some place of firm land in the 
midst thereof, which caused them to make way for the passage 
of their Souldiers, which brought this warre to a period: For 
although many got away, yet were they no such considerable 
number as ever to raise warre any more; the slaine or wounded 
of the English were (through the mercy of Christ) but a few: 
One of them being shot through the body, neere about the 
breast, regarding it not till of a long time after, which caused 
the bloud to dry and thicken on either end of the arrow so 
that it could not be drawne forth his body without great diffi- 
culty and much paine, yet did he scape his life, and the wound 
healed. Thus the Lord was pleased to assist his people in 
this warre, and deliver them out of the Indians hands, who 
were very lusty proper men of their hands, most of them, as 
may appear by one passage which I shall here relate: thus it 
came to passe. As the Souldiers were uppon their march, close 
by a great thicket, where no eye could penetrate farre, as it 
often falls out in such wearisom wayes, where neither men nor 
beast have beaten out a path; some Souldiers lingering be- 
hinde their fellowes, two Indians watching their opportunity, 
much like a hungry hauke, when they supposed the last man 
was come up, who kept a double distance in his march, they 
sudden and swiftly snatched him up in their tallens, hoising 
him upon their shoulders, ran into the swamp with him; the 
Souldier unwilling to be made a Pope by being borne on mens 
1 shoulders, strove with them all he could to free himselfe from 



170 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

their hands; but, like a carefull Commander, one Captaine 
Davenport/ then Lieutenant of this company, being diHgent 
in his place to bring up the reare, coming up with them, fol- 
lowed with speed into the swamp after him, having a very 
severe cutlace tyed to his wrist, and being well able to make 
it bite sore when he set it on, resolving to make it fall foul on 
the Indians bones, he soone overtook them, but was prevented 
by the buckler they held up from hitting them, which was 
the man they had taken: It was matter of much wonder to 
see with what dexterity they hurled the poore Souldier about, 
as if they had been handling a Lacedaemonian shield, so that 
the nimble Captaine Davenport could not, of a long time, 
fasten one stroke upon them; yet, at last, dying their tawny 
skin into a crimson colour, they cast downe their prey, and 
hasted thorow the thickets for their lives. The Souldier thus 
redeemed, had no such hard usage, but that he is alive, as I 
suppose, at this very day: The Lord in mercy toward his 
poore Churches having thus destroyed these bloudy barbarous 
Indians, he returnes his people in safety to their vessels, 
where they take account of their prisoners: the Squawes and 
some young youths they brought home with them, and find- 
ing the men to be deeply guilty of the crimes they undertooke 
the warre for, they brought away onely their heads as a 
token of their victory. By this means the Lord strook a 
trembling terror into all the Indians round about, even to 
this very day. 

Chap. VIL 

Of the first Synod holden in New England, whereby the Lord 
in his mercy did more plainly discover his ancient truths, 
and confute those cursed errors that ordinarily dogg the 
reforming Churches of Christ. 

The Lord Christ deeming it most expedient for his people 
to adde some farther help to assist them in cutting downe 
those cursed errors (that were the next dangerous difficulty 
they were to meet with) sends in the Reverend and bright 

* Captain Richard Davenport, afterward commander of the fort at Castle 
Island. 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 171 

shining light Mr. Davenport, and the cheerfull, grave, and 
gracious Soldier of his, Mr. Allen, as also Mr. Thompson, Mr. 
Browne, Mr. Fish, with divers other of the faithfull servants 
of Christ, the much honoured Mr. Eaton and Mr. Hopkins: * 
and now the time being come, the Synod sate at Cambridge, 
where was present about 25. Reverend and godly Ministers 
of Christ, besides many other graciously-eminent servants of 
his. A Catalogue of the severall Errors scattered about the 
Countrey was there produced, to the number of 80. and 
liberty given to any man to dispute pro or con, and none to 
be charged to be of that opinion he disputed for, unlesse he 
should declare himselfe so to be. The weapons these Soul- 
diers of Christ warred with, was the Sword of the Spirit, 
even the Word of God, together with earnest prayer to the 
God of all Truth, that he would open his truths unto them. 
The clearing of the true sense and meaning of any place of 
Scripture, it was done by Scripture, for they so discerned by 
the grace of God that was given them, that the whole Scrip- 
ture must be attended unto. Foure sorts of persons I could 
with a good will have paid their passage out, and home againe 
to England, that they might have been present at this Synod, 
so that they would have reported the truth of all the passages 
thereof to their own Colledges at their return. The first is the 
Prelates, who both in Theorie and Practice might have made 
their owne Eyes Judges in the case, Whether would prevaile 
most, (to the suppressing of Error, and advancing of Unity in 
the true worship of God), either their commanding power 
backt with the subordinate sword of Princes, or the Word of 
God cleered up by the faithfull labour and indefatigable pains 
of the sincere servants of the Lord Christ, and mightily de- 
clared through the demonstration of his blessed Spirit. This 
well waighed, may (through the Lords blessing) stop the yet 
running fancie in the brains of many, that their Lordly power 
is the onely means of suppressing Error. 

'Rev. John Davenport and Theophilus Eaton, founders of New Haven, 
, and Edward Hopkins, are commemorated, in prose and verse, in the next chap- 
i| ter. The others mentioned are Revs. John Allen, William Thompson, Edmund 
' Browne and John Fisk, who became ministers at Dedham, Braintree, Sudbury, 
'j and Wenham respectively, and are commemorated in later chapters narrating 
the foundation of the churches in those four towns. All seven arrived in 1637. 



172 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 

Secondly, the Godly and Reverend Presbyterian Party, 
who had they made their eye-witnesses of this worke, they 
had assuredly saved themselves much labour, which I dare 
presume they would have spent worthily otherwayes, then in 
writing so many books to prove the Congregationall or In- 
dependant Churches to be the sluce, through which so many 
flouds of Error flow in : nay, my deare and reverend brethren, 
might not so much work of yours in writing, and ours in answer- 
ing, have been a meanes to have stopt the height of this over- 
flowing floud? and through the Lords assisting have setled 
Peace and Truth in a great measure throughout the three 
Nations. 

Thirdly, those who with their new stratagems have brought 
in so much old error; for although they had a party here, yet 
verily they durst not bring their New Light to the Old Word, 
for fear it would prove but Old Darknesse, (as indeed they 
doe.) But here might they have scene the Ministers of 
Christ (who were so experienced in the Scripture, that some 
of them could tell you the place, both Chapter and Verse, of 
most sentences of Scripture could be named unto them) with 
scriptures light, cleering up the truths of Christ clouded by 
any of these Errors and Heresies, as had not been done for 
many Ages before : and verily this great work of Christ must 
not be lightly over-past. The Author of this History passeth 
not for the shrewd censures of men : nor, can it be any matter 
of disparagement to the reverend and highly honoured in 
Christ, remaining in England, that their fellow brethren have 
done so worthily here? It is well knowne to all our English 
Nation, that the most able-preaching Ministers of Christ were 
most pursued by the lording Clergy, and those that have 
spent all their dayes, even from a child, in searching the Scrip- 
tures, the Lord Christ preparing them by his blessed spirit 
for this very work. Besides, their continued practice in study- 
ing and preaching the wayes of truth; and lastly, their meet- 
ing with the opposition of so many crafty, close couched 
errors, whose first foundation was laid cheke by joule with 
the most glorious, heavenly, and blessed truths, to dazle the 
eyes of the beholders, and strike terrour into the hearts of 
those should lift up their hands against them, for feare they 
should misse them, and hit their stroke upon the blessed 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 173 

truth; and also to bring up a slanderous and evil report on 
all the able Orthodox Ministers of Christ that withstand them, 
perswading men they withstand the holy, heavenly, and 
blessed truth, which they have lodged there, which this Synod 
did with strong and undenyable arguments fetch from Scrip- 
ture, to overthrow and pluck up by the roots, all those Errors, 
which you have heard mentioned in the former Book, the 
which they divided for the more full answering of them, 
among all those valiant Champions of the Truth whom you 
have heard named, to some six, some five, some foure, etc. 
It had assuredly been worth the work to have related the 
particular manner of putting to the sword every one of them : 
but besides the length of the discourse, there must have been 
a more able Penman : but however they were so put to death, 
that they never have stood up in a living manner among us 
since, but sometimes like Wizards to peepe and mutter out of 
ground, fit for such people to resort unto, as will goe from the 
living to the dead. But blessed be the Lord Christ, who girded 
his people with strength against this day of battaile, and 
caused the Heavens to cleere up againe in New-England, after 
these foggy dayes. 

The fourth and last sort of persons, whose presence I could 
most of all the other three former have desired was, those 
whose disease lay as chiefly in despising all Physitians, and 
that upon this ground for one, because some for filthy lucre 
sake have nourisht Diseases rather than cured them. Many 
pamphlets have come from our Countreymen of late, to this 
purpose, namely, scurrillously to deride all kind of Scholar- 
ship, Presbytery, and Synods. Experience hath taught 
Gods people here, that such are troubled with some sinfull 
opinion of their owne, that they would not have touched; 
but had they been at this Synod, they must, per force, have 
learned better language, or their speech and their knowledge 
would fall foule one of the other; here might they have beheld 
the humility of the most learned of these servants of Christ, 
condemning the high conceitednesse of their ignorance, and 
then also the framing of Arguments in a Schollar-like way, 
did (the Lord assisting) cleare up the truths of Christ more to 
the meanest capacity in one hour, then could be clouded 
again in seaven yeare by the new notion of any such as boast 



174 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1637 : 

li 
so much of their unlettered knowledge. Diversity of languages, ' 
although a correcting hand of God upon the whole world, 
when they joyned together in that proud Edifice,^ yet now is 
it blest of God, to retaine the purity of the Scriptures; if any 
man should goe about to corrupt them in one language, they 
should remain pure in another; and assuredly, the Lord in- 
tending to have the wayes of the Gospel of Christ to be made 
more manifest at this time, then formerly, not by tradition of 
our forefathers, or by mans reason, but by the revealed will of 
God in the holy Scripture, did accordingly prepare Instru- 
ments for this work, earthen vessels, men subject to like in- 
firmities with our selves; sorry men, and carrying about with 
them a body of sinne and death, men subject to erre: yet 
these did the Lord Christ cause to be train'd up in Learning, 
and tutor'd at the Universities, and that very young, some of 
them, as the reverend Mr. John Gotten, at 13. yeares of age. 
The mighty power of God sanctifyed and ordained them for 
this work, and made them a defenced city, an iron pillar, a 
wall of brass against all the opposers of his truth; and now 
coupled them together in this Synod, to draw in Christs yoke, 
and warre with the weapons he had furnished themwithall, 
and cause the blessed truths of Christ to shine forth in their 
splendour and glory, farre more after the dispersing of this 
smoak, which of a long time hath filled the Temple, and hin- 
dered the entring in of those great number of Converts, which 
shall flow in at the fall of all antichristian Errors; and verily 
as the Lord Christ had called forth this little handfull to be a 
model of his glorious work, intended throughout the whole 
world, so chiefly in this suppressing of Errours, Sects, and 
Heresies, by the blessed word of his truth, causing his servants 
in this Synod, mutually to agree; and by his gracious provi- 
dence, break in pieces a contrived plot of some, who, by mis- 
reports, insinuating jealousies, and crafty carriage of matters 
to the wrong mark, with a writing of thrice twenty strong,^ 

* The tower of Babel. 

' Sixty members of the Boston church (which in general, alone among the 
churches, sustained the Hutchinsonian party) sent in to the General Court of 
March, 1637, a petition which the General Court of November, after the synod, 
declared to be seditious, and used as a pretext for banishing all those petitioners 
who would not recant. 



1637] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 175 

would have drawne away one of the valiant Souldiers of 
Christ from this worthy worke, who both then, and since, hath 
been very helpfull to cast downe many a strong fort erected 
by the Sectaries; but the Lord Christ would not suffer this 
blow to be given, intending all people (by way of restitution) 
for their slanderous reports, cast upon his New England 
Churches (as being the inlet to Errours) shall honour them 
with this victorious conquest, given them by Christ herein; 
yet willing they would, their brethren in England might win 
the prize by out-stripping them, more abundantly in length, 
bredth and height, which the same God is able to performe, 
that hath been thus abundantly good to us. 

About this time the Churches of Christ began to be dili- 
gent in their duty, and the civil government in looking after 
such as were like to disturb the peace of this new erected 
government; some persons being so hot headed for maintain- 
ing of these sinfull opinions, that they feared breach of peace, 
even among the Members of the superiour Court, but the Lord 
blessing them with agreement to prevent the wofull effects of 
civill broyles; those in place of government caused certain 
persons to be disarmed in the severall Townes, as in the 
Towne of Boston, to the number of 58, in the Towne of 
Salem 6, in the Towne of Newbery 3, in the Towne of Rox- 
bury 5, in the Towne of Ipswitch 2, and Charles Towne 2. 
Others there were, that through the help of the faithfull ser- 
vants of Christ, came to see how they had beene misled, and 
by the power of Christ in his Word, returned againe with an 
acknowledgement of their sinne; but others there were, who 
remained obstinate, to the disturbing of the civill power, and 
were banished, of whom you shall heare farther hereafter. 
Some of the Churches of Christ being more indulgent, waited 
long ere they fell upon the work: and here you must tak 
notice, that the Synod, Civil Government, and the Churches 
of Christ, kept their proper place, each moving in their own 
sphear, and acting by their own light, or rather by the revela- 
tion of Jesus Christ, witnessed by his Word and Spirit, yet not 
refusing the help of each other (as some would willingly have 
it). Some of the Churches prosecuting the Rule of Christ 
against their hereticall Members, were forced to proceed to 
excommunication of them, who when they saw whereto it 



176 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1638 

would come, they would have prevented it with lying, but the 
Lord discovered it; and so they were justly separated from the 
Churches of Christ for lying: which being done, they fell to 
their old trade againe. 

Chap. VIII. 

Of the planting the fourth Colonie of New Englands godly Gov- 
ernment called New-Haven. 

The Lord Christ having now in his great mercy taken out 
of the way these mountains that seemed in the eye of Man to 
block up his Churches further proceedings, they had now 
leisure to welcome the living stones that the Lord was pleased 
to adde unto this building, and with thankfull acknowledg- 
ment to give him of his owne for his mercyes multitude, whose 
was the work in planting, not onely more Churches, but 
another Colony also; for the honoured Mr. Eaton ^ being 
accompanied with many worthy persons of note, whom the 
Lord had furnished with store of substance for this wildernesse- 
work, although they would willingly have made their abode 
under the government of the Mattachusets; yet could they 
finde no place upon the Seacoasts for their settling: the Lord 
intending to enlarge his peoples border, caused them, after 
much search, to take up a place somewhat more southwardly, 
neare the shalles of Cape-cod,^ where they had very flatt 
water; yet being entred in, they found a commodious har- 
bour for shipping, and a fit place to erect a Towne, which they 
built in very little time, with very faire houses, and compleat 
streets; but in a little time they overstockt it with Chattell, 
although many of them did follow merchandizing, and Mari- 
time affairs, but their remotenesse from the Mattachusets 
Bay, where the chiefe traffique lay, hindred them much. 

'Theophilus Eaton (1590-1658) was a rich London merchant, deputy- 
governor of the company for the Baltic trade, and had been a diplomatic agent of 
Charles I. at the court of Denmark. He was a parishioner in London of his 
school friend Rev. John Davenport. They came out to New England in 1637, 
arriving in Boston in June, witli a company which, disclaiming any definite in- 
tention of founding a separate colony, yet wished to maintain itself as a unit. 
In March, 1638, they settled at Quinipiac, where they founded the New Haven 
colony, of which Eaton was constantly governor from 1639 to 1658. 

* It is more than one hundred and fifty miles from Cape Cod. 



1638] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 177 

Here did these godly and sincere servants of Christ, according 
to the rule of the Word, gather into Church Estate, and 
called to the office of a Pastor the reverend, judicious, and 
godly Mr. John Davenport,' of whom the Author is bold to 
say as followeth: 

When Men and Devils 'gainst Christs flock conspire, 

For them prepar'd a deadly trapping net; 
Then Christ to make all men his work admire, 

Davenport,^ he doth thee from thy Country fet 
To sit in Synod, and his folk assist: 

The filthy vomit of Hels Dragon, deepe 
In earths womb drawn, blest they this poyson mist,' 

And blest the meanes doth us from error keep. 
Thy grave advice and arguments of strength 

Did much prevaile, the Erronist confound. 
Well hast thou warr'd, Christ drawes thy dayes in length, 

That thou in learn'd experience maist abound: 
What though thou leave a city stor'd with pleasure, 

Spend thy prime dayes in heathen desart land, 
Thy joy's in Christ, and not in earthly treasure, 

Davenport rejoice, Christs Kingdome is at hand; 
Didst ever deem to see such glorious dayes? 

Though thou decrease with age and earths content, 
Thou live'st in Christ, needs then must thy joy raise; 

His Kingdome's thine, and that can ne'r be spent. 

This Church and Town soon procur'd some Sisters to take 
part with her, and among them they erected a godly and 
peaceable Government,^ and called their frontier towne New- 

' John Davenport (1597-1670), joined with Eaton as the chief founder of 
the New Haven colony, was the son of the mayor of Coventry, and was M.A. and 
B.D. of Oxford. After years of service to an important London congregation, 
as vicar of St. Stephen's, Coleman Street, he fled to Holland at the end of the 
year 1633 to escape prosecution by the Court of High Commission. In 1637 he 
went to New England, where he took a prominent part in the synod or council 
of churches at Cambridge, and next year in the founding of New Haven. There 
he was pastor till 1668, then for two years in Boston. 

* Here, and twelve lines below, the metre makes Davenport a dissyllable ; 
and it was often so pronounced, as the spelling Damport in many letters shows. 

^ The meaning appears to be, "blessed are they who missed, or escaped, this 
poison." 

* Guilford and Milford were established as separate colonies, independent of 
New Haven; Stamford and Southold (Long Island) in partial dependence upon 



178 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE (1638 

haven, of which the Government is denominated, being in- 
habited by many men eminent in gifts for the populating 
thereof, and managing of affaires both by Sea and Land; 
they have had some shipping built there, but by the sad losse 
of Mr. Lambertons ship and goods also,^ they were much dis- 
heartned, but the much honoured Mr. Eaton remaines with 
them to this very day. 

Thou noble thus, Theophilus, before great kings to stand, 

More noble far, for Christ his war thou leav'st thy native land; 
With thy rich store thou cam'st on shore Chris ts Churches to assist; 

What if it wast[e] ? thou purchast hast that Pearl that most have mist. 
Nay rather he hath purchast thee, and whatsoever thou hast. 

With graces store to govern o're his people, he thee plac't. 
Our State affaires thy will repaires, assistant thou hast bin 

Firm league to make, for Gospels sake, four Colonyes within; 
With Sweads, French, Dutch, and Indians much, Gods peoples 
peace this bred,^ 

Then Eaton aye remember may the Child that's yet unfed. 

This government of New-Haven, although the younger 
Sister of the foure, yet was she as beautifull as anj?- of this 
broode of travellers, and most minding the end of her coming 
hither, to keep close to the rule of Christ both in Doctrine 
and Discipline ; and it were to be wished her elder Sister would 
follow her example, to nurture up all her children accordingly: 
here is not to be forgotten the honoured Mr. Hopkins, who 
came over about this time, a man of zeale and courage for the 

it. In 1643 all joined in a federal union to form the New Haven colony, of which 
New Haven and the rest were townships, and which, with Branford added, 
lasted till the absorption into Connecticut effected by the charter of 1662. 

* Captain George Lamberton sailed out of New Haven harbor in January, 
1646, in a new ship carrying seventy persons and a valuable cargo, which it was 
hoped would retrieve the falling fortunes of New Haven commerce. The ship 
was never heard of again. The story of the ship returning as a phantom some 
months later, sailing into the mouth of the harbor, and then vanishing, comes 
from Cotton Mather's Magnolia, bk. i., ch. vi. 

' That is to say that the formation of the New England Confederation of 
1643 much promoted the peace of God's people with the Swedes on the Delaware 
River, where New Haven had attempted to found a settlement, with the French 
of Canada, with the Dutch of New Netherland (particularly in respect to the 
possession of the Dutch fort at Hartford), and with the Indians. Eaton and 
Hopkins had an important place among the federal commissioners. 



1638] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 179 

truths of Christ, assisting this blessed work, both in person 
and estate; for the which the Author cannot forget him, being 
oft in commission for the good of all the united Colonyes. 

Hopkins thou must, although weak dust, for this great work prepare, 
Through Ocean large Christ gives thee charge to govern his with care; 

What earthen man, in thy short span throughout the world to run 
From East to West at Christs behest, thy worthy work is done: 

Unworthy thou acknowledge now, not unto thee at all. 
But to his name be lasting fame, thou to his work doth call. 

Chap. IX. 

Of the planting the fourteenth Church of Christ under the govern- 
men of the Mattachusets Bay, called Dedham. 

The latter end of this yeare 'twas the Towne of Dedham 
began, an inland Towne, scituate, about ten miles from 
Boston, in the County of Suffolk, well watred with many 
pleasant streames, abounding with Garden fruits fitly to sup- 
ply the Markets of the most populous Towne, whose coyne 
and commodities allures the Inhabitants of this Towne to 
make many a long walk; they consist of about a hundred 
Families, being generally given to husbandry, and, through 
the blessing of God, are much encreased, ready to swarme 
and settle on the building of another Towne more to the 
Inland; ^ they gather into a Church at their first settling, for 
indeed, as this was their chiefe errand, so was it the first thing 
they ordinarily minded; to pitch their Tabernacles neare the 
Lords Tent; To this end they called to the office of a Pastor, 
the reverend, humble, and heavenly-minded, Mr. John Allen, 
a man of a very courteous behaviour, full of sweet Christian 
love towards all, and with much meeknesse of spirit, contend- 
ing earnestly for the faith and peace of Christs Churches. 

All you so slite Christs sanctifying grace,^ 
As legall workes, what Gospel-work can be 

But sinne cast out, and spirits work in place, 
They justifyed that Christ thus reigning see: 

' Medfield was set off from Dedham in IMay, 1650. 

» The margin says, "M[r]. Allen a great help against the Errors of the time"; 
and the first four lines of these verses refer, in crabbed phrase, to the refusal of 
the Antinomians to attach value to sanctification as evidence of justification. 



180 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1638 

Allen, thou art by Christs free spirit led 

To warre for him in wildernesse awhile; 
What, doe for Christ, I [ay] man thou art in's stead, 

Sent to beseech, in's Vineyard thou must toyle. 
John Allen, joy, thou sinfull dust art taken 

To spend thy dayes in exile, so remote, 
Christs Church to build, of him that's ne'r forsaken. 

Nor thou, for now his truths thou must promote. 
He guides thy tongue, thy paper, pen and hands, 

Thy hearts swift motion, and affections choice; 
Needs thou thus lead, must doe what he commands, 

And cry aloud when he lifts up thy voice: 
Seven yeares compleat twice told, thy work hath bin, 

To feed Christs flock, in desart land them keep. 
Both thou and they each day are kept by him; 

Safe maist thou watch, being watcht by him ne'r sleeps. 

This Church of Christ hath in its bosome neere about 70. 
souls joyned in Covenant together, and being well seasoned 
with this savoury salt, have continued in much love and unity 
from their first foundation, hitherto translating the close, 
clouded woods into goodly corn-fields, and adding much com- 
fort to the lonesome travellers, in their solitary journey to 
Canectico, by eying the habitation of Gods people in their 
way, ready to administer refreshing to the weary. 

Chap. X. 

Of the 'planting of the fifteenth Church of Christ at the Towne 

of Waymoth. 

The Towne and Church of Christ at Waymoth had come 
in among the other Townes before this, as being an elder 
Sister,^ but onely for her somewhat more than ordinary in- 
stability; it is battered with the brinish billows on the East; 
Rocks and Swamps to the Southwest, makes it delightfull to 

* Savage counts the Weymouth church as existing from July, 1635. Of the 
clergymen mentioned below, Thomas Jenners removed to Saco, Maine, Samuel 
Newman to Seekonk. Charles Chauncy was at this time minister at Scituate. 
In earlier life he had been professor of Hebrew at Cambridge, England, then 
professor of Greek, then vicar of Ware. Afterward he was for eighteen years, 
1654-1672, president of Harvard College. 



1638] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 181 

the nimble tripping Deere, as the plowable places of Medow 
land is to the Inhabitants. This Towne was first founded by 
some persons that were not so forward to promote the Ordi- 
nances of Christ, as many others have been : they desired the 
reverend Minister of Christ Mr. Gennors, to be helpfull in 
preaching the Word unto them; who after some little space 
of time, not liking the place, repaired to the Eastern English : 
but the people of this place, after his departure, being gathered 
into a Church, they called to office the reverend and godly Mr. 
Newman; but many of them unwilling to continue in this 
Towne, as supposing they had found a fitter place for habita- 
tion, removed into the next Government, carrying with them 
their Pastor; by which means, the people that were left be- 
hinde, were now destitute, and having some godly Christians 
among them, who much desired the sincere milk of the Word, 
that they might grow thereby: upon diligent use of meanes 
they found out a young man able gifted for the work, brought 
up with the reverend and judicious Mr. Chancie, called Mr. 
Thomas Thatcher. Yet againe, after some few yeares, for 
want of sufficient maintenance, with mutuall consent they 
parted with him, and are forced to borrow help of their Neigh- 
bours, wherein all of them to [to all of them] the Author is 
bold to say as followeth : 

Oh people, reason swayes mans actions here, 

You sanctifyed, o're these long seas doth look, 
With heavenly things your earthly toyle to cheere; 

Will lose^ the end for which this toyle you tooke. 
Christ comes in's Word, let their bright feet abide 

Your Towne, among whose grace and gifts excell 
In preaching Christ, it's he your hearts hath try'd, 

They want no store that all for him doe sell. 
Gennors, dost love thy Christ? I hope he's deare 

Belov'd of thee, he honour'd would thee have 
To feed his flock, while thou remainest here; 

With's Word of truth thy soule and others save. 
With litde flock doth Newman pack away; 

The righteous lips sure might a many feed; 
Remov'st for gaine? it's most where most men stay. 

Men part for land, why land least helps at need. 

' /. p., vou will lose. 



182 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1638 

Thatcher, what mean'st to leave thy httle flock? 

Sure their increase might thee much profit bring: 
What, leave Christs Church ? it's founded on a rock; 

If rock not left, their ebb may suddain spring; 
Pastor and People, have you both forgot 

WTiat parting Paul and Christs deare people had ? * 
Their loves melt teares, it's ve'mently so hot, 

His heart-strings break to see his folk so sad. 

This yeare came over, besides the former, for the furthering 
of this blessed work of Christ, Mr. William Tompson, Mr. 
Edm: Browne, and Mr. David Frisk,^ who were called to office 
in severall Churches, as you shall after hear. And now to end 
this yeare, that abounded in the wonder-working Providence 
of Christ, for his Churches, in the exaltation of his truths, that 
all may take notice the Lord cast in by the by, as it were, a 
very fruitfull crop, insomuch that from this day forward, 
their increase was every yeare more and more, till the Country 
came to feed its owne Inhabitants; and the people who for- 
merly were somewhat pincht with hunger, eat bread to the full, 
having not onely for their necessity but also for their con- 
veniency and delight. 

Chap. XI. 

Of the increase of the people of Christ. Printing brought over, 
and the sixteenth Church of Christ planted at Rouly. 

For the yeare 1638 John Winthrope Esq. was chosen 
Governour, and Tho: Dudly Esq. Deputy Governour; the 
number of Freemen added were about 130. The peace of 
this little Common-wealth being now in great measure settled, 
by the Lords mercy, in overthrowing the Indians, and banish- 
ing of certaine turbulent spirits. The Churches of Christ were 
much edified in their holy faith by their [the] indefatigable 
pains of their Ministers, in their weekly Lectures extraordinary, 
as well as by their Sabboth- Assemblies, and continuall visiting 
of their people from house to house, endeavouring to heale 

> Acts XX. 36-38. 

' For these ministers, see fost, pp. 197, 265, 196 and 226, respectively. On 
this latter page the name of the third is correctly given as John Fisk. 



1638] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 183 

the hurts these false deceivers had made, with double dili- 
gence showring downe the sweet dews of the blessed Gospel 
of Jesus Christ, to the converting of many a poor soul. Aiid 
indeed, now were the glorious days of New England; the 
Churches of Christ increase dayly, and his eminent Embassa- 
dours resort unto them from our native Country, which as 
then lay under the tyranny of the Monarchall Arch-prelates, 
which caused the servants of Christ to wander from their 
home. This yeare the reverend and judicious M. Jos. Glover 
undertook this long voyage; being able both in person and 
estate for the work, he provided, for further compleating the 
Colonies in Church and Common-wealth-work, a Printer, 
which hath been very usefull in many respects ; ^ the Lord see- 
ing it meet that this reverend and holy servant of his should 
fall short of the shores of New England : but yet at this time 
he brought over the zealous affected and judicious servant of 
his. Master Ezekiel Rogers,^ who with a holy and humble 
people, made his progress to the North-Eastward, and erected 
a Towne about 6. miles from Ipswich, called Rowly, where 
wanting room, they purchased some addition of the Town of 
Newbery; yet had they a large length of land, onely for the 
neere conveniency to the Towne of Ipswich, by the which 
meanes they partake of the continued Lectures of either 
Towne: these people being very industrious every way, soone 
built many houses, to the number of about three-score fam- 
ilies, and were the first people that set upon making of Cloth 
in this Western World; for which end they built a fulling- 
mill, and caused their little-ones to be very diligent in spinning 
cotton wooll, many of them having been clothiers in England, 
till their zeale to promote the Gospel of Christ caused them to 
wander; and therefore they were no lesse industrious, in 

' The Cambridge printing-press was the first one established north of Mexico 
and was for many years the only one in British America. The donor, Rev. Jose 
Glover, a suspended Enghsh rector, died on the voyage. The printer, whom he 
brought over under contract, was Stephen Daye. The first thing printed was the 
Freeman's Oath, the second an almanac, the third the Bay Psalm-Book. 

* Rev. Ezekiel Rogers, cousin of Nathaniel Rogers, the minister of Ipswich 
(p. 119, ante), had been for twenty years minister of Rowley in Yorkshire, and 
many of his congregation came from there. Strong efforts, concerning which 

I Winthrop speaks with unwonted sharpness, were made to persuade them to 

j settle in the New Haven jurisdiction. 



184 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1638 

gathering into Church society, there being scarce a man 
among them, but such as were meet to be hving stones in this 
building, according to the judgement of man; they called to 
the office of a Pastor this holy man of God, Mr. Ezekiel Rogers, 
of whom this may be said : 

Christ for this work Rogers doth riches give. 

Rich graces fit his people for to feed, 
Wealth to supply his wants whilst here he live. 

Free thou receiv'st to serve his peoples need. 
England may mourne they thee no longer keep, 

English rejoice, Christ doth such worthyes raise. 
His Gospel preach, unfold his mysteries deep; 

Weak dust made strong sets forth his makers praise: 
With fervent zeale, and courage thou hast fought 

'Gainst that transformed Dragon and his bands, 
Snatcht forth the burning thou poore soules hast caught. 

And freed thy flock from wolves devouring hands. 
Ezekiel mourn not, thou art severed farre, 

From thy deare Country, to a desart land; 
Christ call'd hath thee unto this worthy warre; 

By him o'rcome, he holds thy Crowne in's hand. 

For the further assisting of this tender flock of Christ, the 
reverend Mr. John Miller did abide among them for some 
space of time, preaching the Word of God unto them also, till 
it pleased the Lord to call him to be Pastor of the Church of 
Christ at Yarmouth, in Plimoth patten,^ where he remaineth 
at this very day. 

With courage bold Miller through Seas doth venter. 

To toyl it out in this great Western wast, 
Thy stature low one [on] object high doth center; 

Higher than Heaven thy faith on Christ is plac't: 
Allarum thou with silver trumpet sound, 

And tell the world Christs Armyes are at hand. 
With Scripture-truths thou Errors dost confound. 

And overthrow all Antichristian bands: 
It matters not for th' worlds high reputation; 

The World must fall and Christ alone must stand; 
Thy Crown's prepar'd in him, then keep thy station, 

Joy that Christs Kingdome is so neare at hand. 
» Patent. 



1638] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 185' 



Chap. XII. 

Of the great Earthquake in New England, and of the wofull end 
of some erronious persons, with the first foundation of 
Harverd Colledge. 

This yeare, the first day of the Fourth Month/ about two of 
the clock in the after-noone, the Lord caus'd a great and ter- 
rible Earth-quake, which was generall throughout all the Eng- 
lish Plantations; the motion of the Earth was such, that it 
caused divers men (that had never knowne an Earthquake 
before) being at worke in the Fields, to cast downe their 
working-tooles, and run with gastly terrified lookes, to the 
next company they could meet withall; it came from the 
Westerne and uninhabited parts of this Wildernesse, and 
went the direct course this brood of Travellers came. The 
Ministers of Christ many of them could say at that very time 
(not from any other Revelation, but what the word holds 
forth) that if the Churches of New England were Gods house, 
then suddenly there would follow great alterations in the 
Kingdomes of Europe. 

This yeare the civill government proceeded to censure the 
residue of those sinfull erroneous persons, who raised much 
commotion in this little Common- wealth ; who being ban- 
ished, resorted to a place more Southward, some of them sit- 
ting down at a place called Providence, others betooke them 
to an Island about 16. miles distant from the former, called 
Rode Island,^ where having Elbow roome enough, none of the 
Ministers of Christ, nor any other to interrupt their false and 
deceivable Doctrines, they hamper'd themselves fouly with 
their owne line, and soone shewed the depthlesse ditches that 
blinde guides lead into; many among them being much to be 
pittyed, who were drawne from the truth by the bewitching 

>June 1, 1638. 

^ Providence had been founded by Roger Williams in 1636. The settle- 
ment on Rhode Island was founded in 1638 by William Coddington and his 
companions, banished from Massachusetts in the spring of that year. Johnson's 
account of the amusing variety of religious opinions in these two plantations is 
from the hand of an opponent, but is far from being baseless. 



186 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1638 

tongues of some of them, being very ignorant and easily per- 
verted: and although the people were not many in all, yet 
were they very diverse in their opinion, and glad where they 
could gaine most Disciples to heare them ; some were for every 
day to be a Sabbath, and therefore kept not any Sabbath-day 
at all; others were some for one thing, some for another; and 
therefore had their severall meetings, making many a goodly 
piece of Preachment; among whom there were some of the 
female sexe, who (deeming the Apostle Paul to be too strict 
in not permitting a roome [woman] to preach in the publique 
Congregation) taught notwithstanding, they having their call 
to this office from an ardent desire of being famous, especially 
the grand Mistresse of them all, who ordinarily prated every 
Sabbath day, till others, who thirsted after honour in the same 
way with her selfe, drew away her Auditors, and then she 
withdrew her self, her husband, and her family also, to a more 
remote place; ^ and assuredly, although the Lord be secret in 
all the dispensation of his providences, whether in judgement 
or mercy, yet much may be learn'd from all, as sometimes 
pointing with the finger to the lesson; as here these persons 
withdrawing from the Churches of Christ (wherein he walketh, 
and is to be found in his blessed Ordinances) to a first and 
second place, where they came to a very sad end; for thus it 
came to passe in the latter place, The Indians in those parts 
forwarned them of making their abode there; yet this could 
be no warning to them, but still they continued, being amongst 
a multitude of Indians, boasted they were become all one Ind- 
ian: and indeed, this woman, who had the chiefe rule of all 
the roast, being very bold in her strange Revelations and mis- 
applications, tells them, though all nations and people were 
cut off round about them, yet should not they; till on a day 
certaine Indians coming to her house, discoursing with them, 
they wished to tye up her doggs, for they much bit the man, 
not mistrusting^ the Indians guile, did so; the which no 

' From Aquidneck Mrs. Hutchinson, after her husband's death in 1642> 
removed to a point in the Dutch jurisdiction, now known as Pelham Neck, near 
New Rochelle, New York, where the name of Hutchinson Creek perpetuates her 
memory. Here she and nearly all her household were murdered by the Indians 
in September, 1643, in an uprising consequent upon "Kieft's war." 

' Probably the sense is: "for they much bit. The man, not mistrusting," etc. 



1638] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 187 

sooner done, but they cruelly murthered her, taking one of 
their daughters away with them, and another of them seeking 
to escape is caught, as she was getting over a hedge, and they 
drew her back againe by the haire of the head to the stump 
of a tree, and there cut off her head with a hatchet ; the other 
that dwelt by them betook them to boat, and fled, to tell the 
sad newes; the rest of their companions, who were rather 
hardened in their sinfull way, and blasphemous opinions, 
than brought to any sight of their damnable Errours, as you 
shall after hear; yet was not this the first loud speaking hand 
of God against them; but before this the Lord had poynted 
directly to their sinne by a very fearfull Monster, that another 
of these v/omen brought forth,* they striving to bury it in 
oblivion, but the Lord brought it to light, setting forth the 
view of their monstrous Errors in this prodigious birth. This 
yeare, although the estates of these pilgrim people were much 
wasted, yet seeing the benefit that would accrew to the 
Churches of Christ and Civil Government, by the Lords bless- 
ing, upon learning, they began to erect a Colledge, the Lord 
by his provident hand giving his approbation to the work, in 
sending over a faithfull and godly servant of his, the reverend 
Mr John Harverd, who joyning with the people of Christ at 
Charles Towne, suddainly after departed this life, and gave 
near a thousand pound toward this work ; ^ wherefore the 
Government thought it meet to call it Harverd Colledge in 
remembrance of him. 



If Harverd had with riches here been taken, 

He need not then through troublous Seas have past. 

But Christs bright glory hath thine eyes so waken, 
Nought can content, thy soule of him must tast: 

' Jane Hawkins. Mrs. Hutchinson bore another. 

* The college was founded, by vote of the General Court, in October, 1636, 
with a grant of £400 from the public treasury. John Harvard, whose bequest of 
half his estate, about £800, caused it to be named for him, was the son of Robert 
^] Harvard, butcher, of Southwark, and Katherine Rogers of Stratford-on-Avon, 
j the daughter of an alderman in that town whose house is still standing, and has 
j lately been made a Harvard memorial. After taking his M.A. degree at Em- 
, manuel College, Cambridge, in 1635, John Harvard came, in 1637, to Charles- 
( town, where he was minister for a short time, and died in 1638. 



188 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1639 

Oh tast and tell how sweet his Saints among, 

Christ ravisht hath thy heart with heavenly joyes 
To preach and pray with teares affection strong, 

From hearts delight in him who thee imployes. 
Scarce hast thou had Christs Churches here in eye, 

But thou art call'd to eye him face to face; 
Earths scant contents death drawes thee from, for why? 

Full joy thou wouldst that's onely in heavens place. 

Chap. XIII. 

Of the coming over of the honoured Mr. Pelham, and the plant- 
ing of the seaventeenth Church of Christ at the Towne of 
Hampton. 

This yeare 1639. John Winthrope Esq. was chosen Gover- 
nour, and Thomas Dudly Esq. Deputy Governour, the num- 
ber of freemen added were about 83. This yeare came over 
the much honoured Mr. Herbert Pelham/ a man of a courteous 
behaviour, humble, and heavenly minded. 

Harbertus, hye on valiant, why lingerst thou so long ? 
Christs work hath need of hasty speed, his enemies are strong: 
In wildernesse Christ doth thee blesse with vertues, wife, and seed. 
To govern thou at length didst bow to serve Christs peoples need; 
To thine own soyle thou back dost toyle, then cease not lab'ring there. 
But still advance Christs Ordinance, and shrink no where for fear. 

Much about this time began the Town of Hampton, in 
the County of Northfolk,^ to have her foundation stone laid, 
scituate neare the Sea-coast, not farre from the famous River 
of Merimeck. The great store of salt marsh did intice this 
people to set downe their habitation there, for as yet C&wes 

* Pelham was an Oxford man, and became the first treasurer of Harvard 
College. Governor Bellingham married his sister. The meaning of the fourth 
line is probably to allude to his election as assistant in 1645. 

'The county of Norfolk, established in 1G43, should not be confounded 
with the present Norfolk County. It lay north of the Merrimac, embracing 
Salisbury and Haverhill in present-day Massachusetts, and Dover, Exeter, Hamp- 
ton, and Strawberry Bank or Portsmouth in present-day New Hampshire. Hamp- 
ton and Salisbury were founded in 1639. There was violent dissension in the 
Hampton church, almost to its disruption, between Timothy Dalton the teacher, 
and Stephen Batchellor the pastor (see p. 73), and their respective adherents. 



1639] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 189 

and Cattell of that kinde were not come to the great downfall 
in their price, of which they have about 450. head; and for 
the form of this Towne, it is like a Flower-de-luce, two streets 
of houses wheeling off from the maine body thereof, the land 
is fertile, but filled with swamps, and some store of rocks. 
The people are about 60. Families; being gathered together 
into Church covenant, they called to office the reverend, 
grave, and gracious Mr. Doulton, having also for some little 
space of time the more ancient Mr. Batchelor (of whom you 
have heard in the former Book) to preach unto them also; 
here take a short remembrance of the other. 

Doulton, doth teach perspicuously and sound, 

With wholsome truths of Christ thy flock dost feed; 
Thy honour with thy labour doth abound; 

Age crownes thy head in righteousnesse, proceed 
To batter downe, root up, and quite destroy 

All Heresies, and Errors, that draw back 
Unto perdition, and Christs folk annoy; 

To warre for him thou weapons dost not lack; 
Long dayes to see, that long'd for day to come 

Of Babels fall, and Israels quiet peace — 
Thou yet maist live of dayes so great a sum 

To see this work, let not thy warfare cease. 



Chap. XIV. 

Of the planting the eighteenth Church of Christ at the Tovme 

of Salsbury 

For further perfecting this Wildernesse-work, not far 
from the Towne of Hampton was erected another Towne, 
j called Salsbury, being brought forth as Twins, sometime 
\ contending for eldership: This being seated upon the broade 
swift torrent of Merrimeck, a very goodly River to behold,* 
were it not blockt up with some suddaine falls through the 
rocks; over against this Towne lyeth the Towne of New- 
berry, on the Southern side of the River, a constant Ferry 
being kept between; for although the River be about half a 

^ It was doubtless the largest river our author had ever seen. 



190 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1639 

mile broad, yet, by reason of an Island that lies in the midst 
thereof, it is the better passed in troublesom weather: the 
people of this Towne have of late placed their dwellings so 
much distanced the one from the other, that they are like to 
divide into two Churches; the scituation of this Towne is 
very pleasant, were the Rivers Navigable farre up, the branches 
thereof abound in faire and goodly medowes with good store 
of stately Timber upon the uplands in many places. This 
Towne is full as fruitfull in her Land, Chattell, and Inhabitants, 
as her Sister Hampton; the people joyned in Church-relation 
or brotherhood, nere about the time the other did, and have 
desired and obtained the reverend and graciously godly M. 
Thomas Woster to be their Pastor. 

With mickle labour and distressed wants, 

Woster, thou hast in desart's depth remain'd 
Thy chiefest dayes, Christs Gospel there to plant, 

And water well; such toyle shall yeild great gaine. 
Oh happy day! may Woster say, that I 

Was singled out for this great work in hand; 
Christ by distresse doth Gold for's Temple try; 

Thrice blest are they may in his Presence stand. 
But more, thou art by him reserved yet, 

To see on earth Christ's Kingdom's exaltation: 
More yet, thou art by him prepared fit 

To help it on, among our English Nation. 



Chap. XV. 

Of further supply for the Church of Christ at Waterton. And 
a sad accident fell out in Boston Towne. 

The Lord intending to strengthen his poore Churches 
here, and after the overthrow of these damnable Errors, to 
trample Satan under their feet, he manifesteth his mindeful- 
ness of them, in sending over fresh supplyes againe and againe : 
although weak and sory men in themselves, yet strong in the 
Lord, and the power of his might. The last that this yeare 
is to be named, is the reverend, judicious, and godly-affected 
Mr. John Knowles, who was desired of the Church of Christ 



1639] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 191 

at Waterton, to be a two-fold cord unto them, in the office 
of a teaching Elder, with the reverend Mr. Phillips, of whom 
you have heard in the former Book. 

With courage bold and arguments of strength, 

Knowles doth apply Gods word his flock unto, 
Christ furnisht hath (to shew his bountyes length) 

Thee with rich gifts, that thou his work mayst do: 
New England is too scant, for thy desire 

Inkindled is, Christs truths abroad to spread, 
Virginia may his grace to them admire. 

That thee through Seas for their instruction led; 
Thy labours Knowles are great, far greater hee, 

Not onely thee, but all his valiant made. 
Forth sinfull dust, his Saints and Warriers be;* 

He thee upheld, thy strength shall never fade. 
John come thou forth, behold what Christ hath wrought 

In these thy dayes; great works are yet behinde; 
Then toyle it out till all to passe be brought, 

Christ crowne will thee, thou then his glory minde. 

To end this yeare 1639. the Lord was pleased to send a 
very sharp winter, and more especially in strong storms of 
weekly snows, with very bitter blasts: And here the Reader 
may take notice of the sad hand of the Lord against two per- 
sons, who were taken in a storme of snow, as they were pass- 
ing from Boston to Roxbury, it being much about a mile 
distant, and a very plaine way. One of Roxbury sending to 
Boston his servant maid for a Barber-Chirurgion, to draw 
his tooth, they lost their way in their passage between, and 
were not found till many dayes after, and then the maid was 
found in one place, and the man in another, both of them 
frozen to death; in which sad accident, this was taken into 
consideration by divers people, that this Barber was more 
then ordinary laborious to draw men to those sinfull Errors, 
that were formerly so frequent, and now newly overthrowne 
by the blessing of the Lord, upon the endeavour of his faith- 
full servants (with the word of truth). He having a fit oppor- 

* I. e., "far greater is He who hath made not only thee but all His valiant 
ones, from sinful dust, to be His saints and warriors." For Knowles's mission 
to Virginia, see p. 265, post. 



192 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1640 

tunity, by reason of his trade, so soone as any were set downe 
in his chaire, he would commonly be cutting of their haire 
and the truth together; notwithstanding some report better 
of the man, the example is for the living, the dead is judged 
of the Lord alone. 



Chap. XVI. 

Tfie great supply of godly Ministers for the good of his People 

in New England, 

For to govern and rule this little Common wealth, was 
this year chosen the valiant Champion, for the advance of 
Christs truth, Thomas Dudly Esq. and Richard Bellingham 
Esq. Deputy-Go vernour; the freemen added to the former 
were about 192.^ This yeare the reverend Mr. Burr ^ (a holy, 
heavenly-minded man, and able gifted to preach the Word of 
God) was exercised therein for some space of time, in the 
Church of Christ at Dorchester, where they were about calling 
him to the office of a teaching Elder; but in a very little time 
after his coming over he departed this life, yet minde you 
may in the following Meetre. 

Well didst thou minde thy worke, which caus'd thee venter 

(Through Ocean large) thy Christ in's Word to preach, 
Exhorting all their faith on him to center; 

Soules ravisht are by him in thy sweet speech. 
Thy speech bewrayes thy heart for heaven doth look; 

Christ to enjoy Burr from the earth is taken; 
Thy words remaine, though thou hast us forsook, 

In dust sleep sound till Christ thy body waken. 

There are divers others of the faithfull Ministers of Christ 
that came over for to further this his work, somewhat before 
this time, as the godly and reverend Mr. Rayner,^ who was 

* Misprint, probably, for 162. 

* Jonathan Burr was one of those whom Johnson's church at Woburn had 
endeavored to secure as pastor. 

* John Rayner was teacher of the Plymouth church from 1636 to 1654, then 
minister at Dover, N. H. The worthies commemorated below are: William 
Hooke and Samuel Eaton of New Haven; President Chauncy (see p. 180, supra); 



1640] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 193 

called to office in the Church of Christ at PHmoth, and there 
remaines preaching the Word instantly, with great paines 
and care over that flock, as also the reverend and faithfull 
servant of Christ Jesus, Mr. William Hook, who was for some 
space of time at the Church in Taunton, but now remaines 
called to office in the Church of Christ at Newhaven, a man, 
who hath received of Christ many gracious gifts, fit for so 
high a calling, with a very amiable and gracious speech labour- 
ing in the Lord; and here also the Reader may minde how 
the Lord was pleased to reach out his large hand of bounty 
toward his N. England people, in supplying them abundantly 
with Teachers, able and powerfull to break the bread of life 
unto them, so long as their desires continued hot and zealous; 
but after here grew a fulnesse in some, even to slight, if not 
loath the honey comb; many returned for England, and the 
Lord was pleased to take away others by death, although 
very few, considering the number; but let N. England beware 
of an after-clap, and provoke the Lord no longer. But seeing 
this yeare proved the last of the yeares of transportation of 
God's people, only for enjoyment of exercising the Ordinances 
of Christ, and enlargement of his Kingdome (there being hopes 
of great good opportunity that way at home) it will be ex- 
pedient onely to name some others in the Southwest parts, 
among the lesser Colonyes, and so passe on to the story: 
And first, not to forget the reverend Mr. Eaton, a man of love 
and peace, and yet godly zealous, he came over with those 
who planted the Colony of Newhaven, spending his labours 
in the Lord with them in Plimoth Plantation : * also here is 

Ephraim Hewett, pastor of the church in Windsor, Conn.; Henry Smith of 
Wethersfield; Henry Whitefield of Guilford, whose stone house in that town is 
still standing, and is interestingly figured in Palfrey's History of New England, 
II. 59-61 ; Robert Peck of Hingham in England, teacher of the church in the 
Massachusetts Hingham; Peter Saxton of Scituate; and Richard Denton, who, 
after service in Watertown, Wethersfield, and Stamford, withdrew from New 
England in 1644 on account of Presbyterianism, and was for more than a dozen 
years minister under the Dutch at Hempstead, Long Island. Of these, Hooke, 
Eaton, Whitefield, Peck, Saxton, and Denton returned finally to England, where 
Hooke enjoyed much favor with the Lord Protector, while Whitefield was a 
prominent preacher at Winchester. 

» The punctuation should probably be so arranged as to carry the phrase 
respecting Plymouth Plantation into connection with the name of Chaimcj 
rather than Eaton. 



194 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1640 

to be minded the reverend Mr. Chancie, a very able Preacher, 
both learned and judicious; as also the reverend, able, and 
pious M. Huet, who came over this year, or rather, as I sup- 
pose, the yeare before, who did spend his time and labour 
with a people that came over with him ; at length the greatest 
part of them they settled downe in the Government of Canec- 
ticoe, where they planted the Towne of Windsor, and Church 
of Christ there, where this gracious servant of Christ con- 
tinued in his labours, till the Lord laid him in his bed of rest: 
somewhat before this time came over the reverend Mr. Smith, 
being another of that name, beside the former,^ he laboured 
in the Word and Doctrine with a people at Withersfield in 
those parts also; Mr. Henry Whitefield, another Minister of 
the Gospel of Christ, of reverend respect, who being returned 
for England, the latter of his labours, the Lord assisting, will 
sufficiently testifie his sincerity, for the truth and labours of 
love in the Lord: here may also be named the reverend Mr. 
Peck, Mr. Saxton, and Mr. Lenten [Denton], the residue will 
be spoken of in the ensuing story to those that yet remaine. 
Of these persons named the Author doth tender this follow- 
ing Meetre. 

When reasons Scepter first 'gan sway your hearts, 

Through troublous Seas, this Western world to enter 
Among Christs Souldiers, here to act your parts, 

Did not Christs love on [of?] you cause him to center 
All those strait lines of your inflam'd desire 

Unto his truths, 'cause him in them you finde? 
From wildernesse, not from his truths retire; 

But unto death this wonderous work you'l minde; 
No place can claime peculiar interest in 

Christs worship, for all nations are his own; 
The day's at hand down falls that man of sin, 

And Christs pure Gospel through the world is blown; 
Harvest is come, bid ease and sleep adieu, 

What, trifle time when Christ takes in his Crop? 
A Harvest large of Gentil and of Jew 

(You fil'd of Christ), let his sweet Doctrine drop. 

* The intention is probably to distinguish Henry Smith from Ralph Smith, 
pastor of the Plymouth church from 1629 to 1636. 



1640] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 195 



Chap. XVII. 

Of the planting of Long-Island. And of the planting the nine- 
teenth Church in the Mattachusets government, called 
Sudbury. 

This yeare came over divers godly and sincere servants 
of Christ, as I suppose, among whom came over the reverend 
godly M. Peirson: This people finding no place in any of the 
former erected Colonies to settle in, to their present content, 
repaired to an Island, severed from the Continent of New- 
haven, with about 16. miles off the salt Sea, and called Long- 
Island, being about 120. miles in length, and yet but narrow: 
here this people erected a Town, and called it South Hampton.* 
There are many Indians on the greatest part of this Island, 
who at first settling of the English there, did much annoy 
their Cattel with the multitude of Doggs they kept, which 
ordinarily are young wolves brought up tame, continuing of 
a very ravening nature. This people gathered into a Church, 
and called to office Mr. Peirson, who continued with them 
about 7, or 8. yeares, and then he, with the greatest number 
of the people, removed farther into the Island; the other 
part that remained invited Mr. Foordum,^ and a people that 
were with him, to come and joyne with them, who accordingly 
did, being wandered as far as the Dutch plantation, and there 
unsettled, although he came into the Country before them. 

This yeare the Town and Church of Christ at Sudbury 
began to have the first foundation stones laid, taking up her 
station in the Inland Country, as her elder Sister Concord 
had formerly done, lying farther up the same River, being 
furnished with great plenty of fresh marsh, but it lying very 
low is much indammaged with land-flouds, insomuch that 
when the summer proves wet, they lose part of their hay; yet 

' A body of men from Lynn, Mass., having a patent from James Farrett as 
representative of Lord Stirling, first settled at Oyster Bay. Driven away by the 
Dutch, they established themselves at Southampton, at the other end of the island, 
and before long placed themselves under the jurisdiction of Connecticut. Abra- 
ham Pierson, their minister, removed to Branford and to Newark, New Jersey. 

* Rev. Robert Fordham, who in 1G44 under a Dutch grant from the director- 
general of New Netherland had founded Hempstead, L. L 



196 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1640 

are they so sufficiently provided, that they take in Cattell of 
other Townes to winter. These people not neglecting the 
chief work, for the which they entred this wildernesse, namely, 
to worship the Lord in the purity of his Ordinances, and 
according to the rule of his Word, entred into covenant with 
him, and one with another, professedly to walk together in 
Church-fellowship ; and according to the same rule they called 
to the office of a Pastor the Reverend, godly, and able Min- 
ister of the Word, Mr. Edmond Brown, whose labours in the 
Doctrine of Christ Jesus hath hitherto abounded, wading 
through this wildernesse-work with much cheerfulnesse of 
spirit, of whom as followeth: 

Both night and day Brown ceaseth not to watch 

Christs little flock, in pastures fresh them feed; 
The worrying wolves shall not thy weak lambs catch; 

Well dost thou minde in wildernesse their breed; 
Edmond, thy age is not so great but thou 

Maist yet behold the Beast brought to her fall; * 
Earth's tottering Kingdome shew her legs gin bow; 

Thou 'mongst Christs Saints with prayers maist her mawle; 
WTiat signes wouldst have faith's courage for to rouse ? 

See, Christ triumphant hath his armies led, 
In wildernesse prepar'd his lovely Spouse, 

Caus'd Kings and Kingdomes his high hand to dread; 
Thou seest his Churches daily are encreasing, 

And thou thy selfe amongst his worthyes warring, 
Hold up thy hands, the battel's now increasing, 

Christ's Kingdom's ay, it's past all mortall's marring. 

This Towne is very well watered, and hath store of plow- 
land, but by reason of the oaken roots, they have little broke 
up, considering the many Acres the place affords; but this 
kinde of land requires great strength to break up, yet brings 
very good crops, and lasts long without mending. The 
people are industrious, and have encreased in their estates, 
some of them, yet the great distance it lyes from the Mart 
Towns maketh it burdensome to the Inhabitants, to bring 
their corne so far by land. Some Gentlemen have here laid 
out part of their estates in procuring farmes, by reason of the 

* Revelation xvii. 8. 



1G39] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 197 

store of medow. This Church hath hitherto been blessed 
with blessings of the right hand, even godly peace and unity: 
they are not above 50. or 60. families, and about 80. souls in 
Church-fellowship, their Neat-heard about 300. 

Chap. XVIII. 

Of the planting of the twentieth Church of Christ at a Tovme 

called Braintree. 

About this time there was a Town and Church planted 
at Mount Wollestone, and named Braintree, it was occa- 
sioned by some old planters and certain Farmers belonging to 
the great Town of Boston; they had formerly one Mr. Whele- 
wright * to preach unto them, (till this Government could no 
longer contain them) they many of them in the mean time 
belonging to the Church of Christ at Boston, but after his 
departure they gathered into a Church themselves; ^ having 
some inlargement of Land, they began to be well peopled, 
calling to office among them, the reverend and godly Mr. 
William Tompson, and Mr. Henry Flint, the one to the office 
of a Pastor, the other of a Teacher; the people are purged 
by their industry from the sowre leven of those sinful opinions 
that began to spread, and if any remain among them it is 
very covert, yet the manner of these Erronists that remain 
in any place, is to countenance all sorts of sinful opinions, as 
occasions serves, both in Church and Commonwealth, under 
pretence of Liberty of Conscience, (as well their own opinion 
as others). By this Symbol they may be known in Court 
and Country. This Town hath great store of Land in tillage, 
and is at present in a very thriving condition for outward 
things, although some of Boston retain their Farms from 
being of their Town, yet do they lye within their bounds;' 
and, how it comes to pass I know not, their officers have 

* The Antinomian minister, Mrs. Hutchinson's brother-in-law. 

* In the part of old Braintree now known as Quincy. This church was 
really gathered before those of Rowley, Salisbury, and Sudbury; Johnson's 
numbering is inexact throughout. 

' /. e., some Boston men keep their farms from being part of Braintree, 
though those farms lie within its borders. Such enclaves of town territory were 
not uncommon in early New England. 



198 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1640 

somewhat short allowance. They are well stored with cattel 
and corn, and as a people receives, so should they give: And 
Reader, I cannot but mind thee of the admirable providence 
of Christ for his people in this, where they have been in a low 
condition, by their liberality they have been raised to much 
in a very little time: And again, in withdrawing their hands 
have had their plenty blasted. The reverend Mr. Tompson 
is a man abounding in zeal for the propagation of the Gospel, 
and of an ardent affection, insomuch that he is apt to forget 
himself in things that concern his own good ; ^ both him, and 
the like gracious M. Flint is here remembred. 

With twofold cord doth Flint and Tompson draw 

In Christ's yoke, his fallow ground to break, 
Wounding mens hearts with his most righteous Law, 

Cordials apply to weary souls and weak. 
Tompson thou hast Christ's folk incouraged 

To war their warfare, putting them in mind 
That Christ their King will make his sons the dread; 

The day's at hand when they shall mastery find. 
Flint be a second to this Champion stout, 

In Christ's your strength, while you for him do war. 
When first doth faint, a second helps him out, 

Till Christ renew with greater strength by far. 
From East to West your labours lasted have. 

The more you toil, the more your strength encreaseth, 
Your works will bide, when you are laid in grave. 

His truth advance, whose Kingdom never ceaseth. 

Chap. XIX. 

Of the first promotion of learning in New-England, and the 
extraordinary providences that the Lord was pleased to 
send for furthering of the same. 

Toward the latter end of this Summer came over the 
learned reverend, and judicious Mr. Henry Dunster,^ before 

* According to Winthrop he was confessedly "a very melancholic man and 
of a crazy body." His last years were spent mostly in a state of melancholia. 

* Dunster, M.A. of Emmanuel College, came to New England in 1640, and 
was president of Harvard College from that time to 1654, when he was forced to 
i:esign because of holding Antipeedobaptist opinions. 



1636] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 199 

whose coming the Lord was pleased to provide a Patron for 
erecting a Colledg, as you have formerly heard, his provident 
hand, being now no less powerful in pointing out with his 
unerring finger a president, abundantly fitted this his servant, 
and sent him over for to manage the work ; and as in all the 
other passages of this history, the Wonder-working Providence 
of Sions Saviour hath appeared, so more especially in this 
work, the Fountains of learning being in a great measure 
stopped in our Native Country at this time, so that the sweet 
waters of Shilo's streams must ordinarily pass into the Churches 
through the stinking channel of prelatical pride, beside all 
the filth that the fountains themselves were daily incumbred 
withall, insomuch that the Lord turned aside often from 
them, and refused the breathings of his blessed Spirit among 
them, which caused Satan (in these latter dales of his trans- 
formation into an Angel of light) to make it a means to per- 
swade people from the use of learning altogether, that so in 
the next generation they might be destitute of such helps, 
as the Lord hath been pleased hitherto to make use of, as 
chief means for the conversion of his people, and building 
them up in the holy faith, as also for breaking downe the 
Kingdom of Antichrist; and verily had not the Lord been 
pleased to furnish N. E. with means for the attainment of 
learning, the work would have been carried on very heavily, 
and the hearts of godly parents would have vanished away 
with heaviness for their poor children, whom they must have 
left in a desolate wilderness, destitute of the meanes of grace. 
It being a work (in the apprehension of all, whose capacity 
could reach to the great sums of money, the edifice of a mean 
Colledg would cost) past the reach of a poor Pilgrim people,^ 
who had expended the greatest part of their estates on a long 
voyage, travelling into Forraign Countryes being unprofitable 
to any that have undertaken it, although it were but with 
their necessary attendance, whereas this people were forced 
to travel with wifes, children, and servants; besides they con- 
sidered the treble charge of building in this new populated 

'The word is of course used in its general sense. "Pilgrim," according to 
Mr. Albert Matthews, appears not to have been specifically applied to the early 
settlers of Plymouth until 1798, nor "Pilgrim Fathers" until 1799. In this use 
the term is derived from a well-known passage in Bradford. 



200 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

desart, in regard of all kind of workmanship/ knowing like- 
wise, that young Students could make but a poor progress 
in learning, by looking on the bare walls of their chambers, 
and that Diogenes would have the better of them by far, in 
making use of a Tun to lodg in, not being ignorant also, that 
many people in this age are out of conceit with learning, and 
that although they were not among a people who counted 
ignorance the mother of devotion, yet were the greater part 
of the people wholly devoted to the Plow, (but to speak 
uprightly, hunger is sharp, and the head will retain little 
learning, if the heart be not refreshed in some competent 
measure with food, although the gross vapors of a glutted 
stomack are the bane of a bright understanding, and brings 
barrenness to the brain) but how to have both go on together, 
as yet they know not; amidst all these difficulties, it was 
thought meet learning should plead for it self, and (as many 
other men of good rank and quality in this barren desart) 
plod out a way to live: Hereupon all those who had tasted 
the sweet wine of Wisdoms drawing, and fed on the dainties 
of knowledg, began to set their wits a work, and verily as the 
whole progress of this work had a farther dependency then on 
the present eyed means, so at this time chiefly the end being 
firmly fixed on a sure foundation, namely, the glory of God, 
and good of all his elect people, the world throughout, in vin- 
dicating the truths of Christ, and promoting his glorious 
Kingdom, who is now taking the heathen for his inheritance, 
and the utmost ends of the earth for his possession, means 
they know there are, many thousands uneyed of mortal 
man, which every daies Providence brings forth; upon these 
resolutions, to work they go, and with thankful acknowledg- 
ment, readily take up all lawful means as they come to hand; 
for place they fix their eye upon New-Town, which to tell 
their Posterity whence they came, is now named Cambridg,' 
and withal to make the whole world understand, that spiritual 
learning was the thing they chiefly desired, to sanctifie the 

* Wages were high, as they always are when free or cheap land is drawing 
the laborer away from wage-service. Thus we find the General Court passing 
laws to restrict excessive wages. 

* Most of the early ministers were Cambridge men, Oxford being much less 
productive of Puritans. 



1G3G] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 201 

other, and make the whole lump holy, and that learning being 
set upon its right object, might not contend for error instead 
of truth; they chose this place, being then under the Ortho- 
dox, and soul-flourishing Ministery of Mr. Thomas Shepheard, 
of whom it may be said, without any wrong to others, the 
Lord by his Ministery hath saved many a hundred soul. The 
scituation of this Colledg is very pleasant, at the end of a 
spacious plain, more like a bowling green then a Wilderness, 
neer a fair navigable river, environed with many Neighbour- 
ing Towns of note, being so neer, that their houses joyn with 
her Suburbs; the building thought by some to be too gor- 
geous for a Wilderness, and yet too mean in others appre- 
hensions for a Colledg,^ it is at present inlarging by purchase 
of the neighbour houses; it hath the conveniencies of a fair 
Hall, comfortable Studies, and a good Library,^ given by the 
liberal hand of some Magistrates and Ministers, with others: 
The chief gift towards the founding of this Colledg, was by 
Mr. John Harnes,^ a reverend Minister; the Country being 
very weak in their publike Treasury, expended about 500. I. 
towards it, and for the maintenance thereof, gave the yearly 
revenue of a Ferry passage between Boston and Charles Town, 
the which amounts to about 40. or 50. I. per annum. The 
Commissioners of the four united Colonies also taking into 
consideration, of what common concernment this work would 
be, (not only to the whole plantations in general, but also to 
all our English Nation) they endeavoured to stir up all the 
people in the several Colonies to make a yearly contribution 
toward it, which by some is observed, but by the most very 
much neglected; the Government hath endeavoured to grant 
them all the priviledges fit for a Colledg, and accordingly the 
Governour and Magistrates, together with the President of 
the Colledg, for the time being, have a continual care of order- 
ing all matters for the good of the whole. This Colledg hath 
brought forth, and nurst up very hopeful plants, to the sup- 

* Yet in 1655 the corporation and overseers declare that the building is "in 
a very ruinous condition . . . not fit for scholars to abide in as it is." 

^ John Harvard's library, which he bequeathed entire to the college, con- 
sisted of 260 volumes. Its catalogue, still existing, shows it to have been a good 
foundation. 

* Misprint for Harvard. 



202 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

plying some Churches here/ as the gracious and godly Mr. 
Wilson, son to the grave and zealous servant of Christ Mr. 
John Wilson, this young man is Pastor to the Church of Christ 
at Dorchester; as also Mr. Buckly, son to the reverend M. 
Buckly of Concord; as also a second son of his, whom our 
Native Country hath now at present help in the Ministery, 
and the other is over a people of Christ in one of these Col- 
onies, and if I mistake not, England hath I hope not only 
this young man of N. E. nurturing up in learning, but many 
more, as M. Sam. and Nathanael Mathers, Mr. Wells, ]\Ir. 
Downing, Mr. Barnard, Mr. Allin, Mr. Bruster, Mr. William 
Ames. Mr. Jones, Another of the first fruits of this Colledg, 
is imployed in these Western parts in Mevis, one of the summer 
Islands; beside these named, some help hath been had from 
hence in the study of Physick, as also the godly Mr. Sam. 
Danforth, who hath not only studied Divinity, but also 
Astronomy; he put forth many Almanacks, and is now called 
to the office of a teaching Elder in the Church of Christ at 
Roxbury, who was one of the fellows of this Colledg. The 
number of Students is much encreased of late, so that the 
present year 1651. on the twelfth of the sixth moneth, ten of 
them took the degree of Batchelors of Art, among whom the 
Sea-born son of Mr. John Cotton was one; some Gentlemen 
have sent their sons hither from England, who are to be com- 
mended for their care of them, as the judicious and godly 
Doctor Ames, and divers others. This hath been a place 
certainly more free from temptations to lewdness then ordi- 
narily England hath been, yet if men shall presume upon this 
to send their most exorbitant children intending them more 
especially for Gods service, the Justice of God doth sometimes 

* The hopeful plants mentioned below are: John Wilson of the class of 1642; 
John [Bulkley, 1642; and Edward Bulkley (see p. 110, note 2); Samuel and 
Nathaniel Mather, 1643 and 1647, sons of Rev. Richard, and preachers in Dublin 
and London, respectively; Edmund Weld, 1650, preacher in Ireland; George 
Downing, 1642, the most famous of them all, scout-master-general under Crom- 
well and ambassador under him and Charles XL; Tobias Barnard, 1642; John 
Allin, 1643; Nathaniel Brewster, 1643; William Ames, 1645, son of the cele- 
brated minister at Rotterdam (of these four Brewster preached in Ireland, the 
other three in England); John Jones, 1643, who preached at Mevis or Nevis in 
the West Indies (not Bermudas or Somers Islands); Samuel Danforth, 1643, 
colleague of Eliot; and Seaborn Cotton (see p. 63). 



1636] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 203 

meet with them, and the means doth more harden them in 
their way, for of late the godly Governors of this Colledg 
have been forced to expell some, for fear of corrupting the 
Fountain, wherefore the Author would ye should mind this 
following verse. 

You that have seen these wondrous works by Sions Savior don, 

Expect not miracle, lest means thereby you over-run ; 
The noble Acts Jehovah wrought, his Israel to redeem, 

Surely this second work of his shall far more glorious seem; 
Not only Egypt, but all Lands, where Antichrist doth raign, 

Shall from Jehovahs heavy hand ten times ten plagues sustain: 
Bright shining shall this Gospel come. Oh glorious King of Saints, 

Thy blessed breath confounds thy foes, all mortal power faints, 
The ratling bones together run with self-same breath that blows, 

Of Israels sons long dead and dry, each joynt their sinew grows, 
Fair flesh doth cover them, and veins (lifes fountain) takes there place. 

Smooth seamless coats doth cloath their flesh, and all their structure 
grace. 
The breath of Life is added, they no Antinomians are, 

But loving him who gives them life, more zealous are by far. 
To keep his Law, then formerly when righteousnesse they sought 

In keeping that they could not keep, which then their downfal 
brought. 
Their ceremonies vanisht are, on Christ's all their desires, 

Their zeal all Nations doth provoke, inkindled are loves fires: 
With hast on horseback, bringing home their sons and daughters, they 

Rejoyce to see this glorious sight, like Resurrections day; 
Up and be doing, you young plants, Christ calls his work unto. 

Polluted lips, touch'd with heav'ns fire, about this work shall go. 
Prostrate in prayer, parents and you young ones, on Christ call, 

Suppose of you he will make use, whereby that beast shall fall: 
So be it. Lord, thy servants say, who are at thy disposing. 

With outward word work inward grace, by heavenly truths dis- 
closing. 
Awake, stand up from death to life, in Christ your studies enter,* 

The Scriptures search, bright light bring forth, upon this hardship 
venter. 
Sound doctrine shall your lips preach out, all errors to confound 

And rid Christ's Temple from this smoke, his glory shall abound; 
Precipitant doth Dagon fall, his triple head off cut, 

The Beast that all the world admires, by you to death is put: 

■Center? 



204 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1636 

Put hand to mouth, with vehement blast your silver Trumpets sound, 

Christ calls to mind his peoples wrongs, their foes hee'l now con- 
found: 
Be strong in God and his great might, his wondrous works do tell, 

You raised are unwonted ways, observe his workings well. 
As Jordans streams congeal'd in heaps, and Jerico's high walls 

With Rams horns blast, and Midians Host, with pitcher breaking 
falls; 
Like works, your faith for to confirm in these great works to come. 

That nothing now too hard may seem, Jehovah would have don. 
The rage of Seas, and hunger sharp, wants of a desart Land, 

Your noble hearts have overcom, what shall this work withstand? 
Not persecutors pride and rage, strong multitudes do fall 

By little handfuls of least dust, your Christ confounds them all; 
Not Satan and his subtil train with seeming shew reforming. 

Another Gospel to bring forth, brings damned errors swarming: 
Your selves have seen his paint washt off, his hidden poysons found, 

Christ you provides with Antidotes, to keep his people sound: 
There's nought remains but conquest now, through Christ's continued 
power, 

His hardest works have honors most attend them every hour. 
WTiat greater honor then on earth, Christ's Legat for to be. 

Attended with his glorious Saints in Church fraternity. 
Christ to behold adorning now his Bride in bright array. 

And you his friends him to attend upon his Nuptial day, 
With crowned heads, as Conquerors triumphant by his side; 

In's presence is your lasting joy, and pleasures ever bide. 

Mr. Henry Dunstar is now President of this Colledg, fitted 
from the Lord for the work, and by those that have skill that 
way, reported to be an able Proficient, in both Hebrew, Greek, 
and Latine languages, an Orthodox Preacher of the truths of 
Christ, very powerful through his blessing to move the affec- 
tion; and besides he having a good inspection into the well- 
ordering of things for the Students maintenance (whose com- 
mons hath been very short hitherto) by his frugal providence 
hath continued them longer at their Studies then otherwise 
they could have done;^ and verily it's great pity such ripe 

* In September, 1653, Johnson was placed on a committee of the General 
Court "to examine the state of the College in all respects," the commons being 
particularly mentioned. For a most amusing account of the short commons 
before President Dunster's time, see the landlady's testimony in Savage's edition 
of Winthrop, I. 310, 311. 



1641] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 205 

heads as many of them be, should want means to further 
them in learning: But seeing the Lord hath been pleased to 
raise up so worthy an instrument for their good, he shall not 
want for incouragement to go on with the work, so far as a 
rustical rime will reach. 

Could man presage prodigious works at hand, 

Provide he would for's good and ill prevent, 
But God both time and means hath at's command, 

Dunster in time to his N. E. hath sent. 
When England 'gan to keep at home their guides, 

N. E. began to pay their borrowed back, 
Industrious Dunster, providence provides. 

Our friends supply, and yet our selves no lack: 
With restless labour thou dost delve and dung, 

Surculus^ set in garden duly tended. 
That in Christs Orchard they, with fruit full hung, 

May bless the Lord, thy toil gone, them expended, 
Thy constant course proves retrograde in this. 

From West to East thy toil returns again, 
Thy husbandry by Christ so honored is. 

That all the world partaketh of thy pains. 



Chap. XX. 

Of the 'planting of the one and twentieth Church of Christ at a 
Town called Glocester, and of the Church and Town of 
Dover, and of the hardships that hefel a certain people, 
who thirsted after large liberty in a warm Country. 

For the Government of this little Commonwealth, this 
year was chosen for Governour Richard Belingham, Esquire, 
and John Endicut Esquire for Governors [Deputy Governor]; 
the number of Freemen added this year, were about 503.^ 

There was another Town and Church of Christ erected in 
the Mattachuset Government, upon the Northern-Cape of 
the Bay, called Cape Ann, a place of fishing, being peopled 
with Fishermen, till the reverend Mr. Richard Blindman 

* Scion. 

* The real number was 126. 



206 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1641 

came from a place in Plimouth Patten, called Green-Harbor,* 
with some few people of his acquaintance, and setled down 
with them, named the Town Glocester, and gathered into a 
Church, being but a small number, about fifty persons, they 
called to office this godly reverend man, whose gifts and 
abilities to handle the word is not inferiour to many others, 
labouring much against the errors of the times, of a sweet, 
humble, heavenly carriage. This Town lying out toward the 
point of the Cape, the access thereunto by Land becomes 
uneasie, which was the chief cause it was no more populated. 
Their fishing trade would be very beneficial, had they men of 
estates to mannage it; yet are they not without other means 
of maintenance, having good timber for shipping, and a very 
sufficient builder, but that these times of combustion the Seas 
throughout hath hindered much that work, yet have there 
been Vessels built here at this Town of late. Their reverend 
Elder is here remembred. 

Thou hast thy prime and middle age here spent, 

The best is not too good for him that gave it, 
When thou did'st first this Wilderness frequent, 

For Sions sake it was, that Christ might save it. 
Blinman be blith in him, who thee hath taken 

To feed his Flock, a few poor scattered sheep, 
Why should they be of thee at all forsaken? 

Thy honor's high, that any thou may'st keep. 
Wait patiently thy Masters coming, thou 

Hast hitherto his peoples portions dealt, 
It matters not for high preferment; now 

Thy crown's to come, with joyes immortal felt. 

About this time the people inhabiting the Town of Dover, 
although they lay out of any of these Colonies mentioned 
(yet hearing and seeing with what sweet harmony, both iu 
Churches and civil Government, the Mattachusets peopled 
patten was carried on prosperously) desired greatly to submit 
unto the same, by putting themselves under their protection; 
and for that end they petitioned their General Cort to admit 
of them, and administer Justice as occasion served, by the 

* Now Marshfield, whence Rev. Richard Blinman and his associates re- 
moved because of an irreconcilable dispute in the church. 



1641] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 207 

hands of their godly Magistrates, which accordingly was 
granted/ and they have been partakers of the benefit hitherto, 
having also the benefit of some one Minister to preach unto 
them, till it pleased God to fit stones by the continual hewing 
of his word for his Temple-work, and they gather a Church 
according to the rule of the word, and called to office of a 
Pastor one M. Maude, both godly and diligent in the work. 
This Town is scituate upon Puscataque river, Ipng to the 
Northeast of Boston, which river, although it be not nigh so 
broad as Merrinaeck river, yet is it navigable, being very 
deep, and her banks in many places fil'd with stately timber, 
which hath caused one or two Saw-Mills to be continued; 
there they have a good quantity of Meddow Land, and good 
ground for India corn. To end this year 1641. the Lord was 
pleased to send a very sharp Winter, insomuch that the Har- 
bor where Ships ordinarily Anchor, was frozen over of such a 
thickness, that it became passeable, both for horse, carts, and 
oxen, for the space of five weeks. And here the Reader must 
be minded of the wonder-working providence of Christ for 
his poor Churches, in altering the very season for their com- 
fort, to the wonder of English and Indians, the Winter and 
Summer proving more moderate, both for heat and cold, 
unmasking many by this means, it being a frequent thing 
with some, that after the novelties of a new land began to be 
stale with them, and the sweet nourishment of the soul by 
the presence of Christ in the preaching of his Word, began to 
dry up through the hot heady conceit of some new conceived 
opinion, Then they wanted a warmer country, and every 
Northwest wind that blew, they crept into some odd chimney- 
corner or other, to discourse of the diversity of Climates in the 
Southerne parts, but chiefly of a thing very sweet to the pal- 
late of the flesh, called liberty, which they supposed might be 
very easily attain'd, could they but once come into a place 
where all men were chosen to the office of a Magistrate, and 

» There was a settlement at Dover, N. H., as early as 1628, perhaps as early 
as 1623. In 1641, after violent contests between an Anglican and a Puritan party, 
the holders of both the Hilton patent and the Piscataqua patent gave over their 
rights of jurisdiction to Massachusetts, which proceeded to extend its authority 
over Dover and the rest of New Hampshire. Rev. Daniel Maude, minister of 
Dover, was M.A. of Emmanuel College, and had been schoolmaster in Boston. 



208 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1641 

all were preachers of the Word, and no hearers, then it would 
be all Summer and no Winter. This consultation was to be 
put in practice speedily, as all headstrong motions are, but the 
issue proved very sad, both to these and others also ; for thus 
it befell, when the time of the year was come that a sea- 
voyage might be undertaken, they having made sale of a 
better accommodation then any they could afterward attain 
unto, prepare for the voyage with their wifes and children, 
intending to land them in one of the Summer Islands, called 
the Isle of Providence,^ and having wind and seas favouring 
them, as they supposed, or to speak more proper, the provi- 
dent hand of the most high God directing it, they were brought 
so neer the shore for convenient landing, that they might have 
heaved a Bisket cake on land; their Pilate wondring he could 
not see the English colours on the Fort, he began to mistrust 
the Island was taken, and more especially, because they saw 
not the people appear upon the shores as they usually did 
when any Vessel was a coming in, but now and then they saw 
some people a far off wafting to them to come in, till they were 
even come to an Anchor, and then by the hoising up and down 
the heads of those on shore, they were fully confirmed in it, 
that the Island was taken, as indeed it was by the Spaniards, 
who as soone as they tackt about to be gone, made shot at 
them, and being in great fear they made all the sail they could, 
but before they could get out of shot, the Master of the Vessel 
was slain, the main sail shot through, and the Barque also; 
the people some of them returned back again for New-England, 
being sore abashed at this providence that befel them, that 
they would never seek to be governed by liberty again to this 
very day; yet others there are were so strongly bent for the 
heat of liberty, that they indured much pinching penury upon 
an uninhabited Island, til at length meeting some others like- 
minded with themselves, they made a voyage to another Island. 
The chiefest part of their Charter of Freedom was this. That 

* Not one of the Somers Islands or Bermudas, but an island in the Caribbean 
Sea, off the coast of Nicaragua. Charles I. granted it in 1630, by a patent similar 
to that of Massachusetts, to a company, mostly Puritans, who held it till 1641, 
when the Spaniards captured it. In the summer of that year the emigrants from 
Massachusetts went there, as described above and in Winthrop, I. 333; II. 11-12, 
33-35. 



1642] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 209 

no man upon pain of death should speak against anothers 
ReHgion ; where they continued, till some of them were fam- 
ished, and others even forced to feed on Rats, and any other 
thing they could find to sustain nature, till the provident 
hand of God brought a Ship to the place, which took them off 
the Island, and saved their lives: But upon this the Winters 
discourse ceased, and projects for a warmer Country were 
husht and done. 

Chap. XXI. 

Of the suddain and unexpected fall of Cattel, and the great bless- 
ing of God in giving plenty of provision. 

For this year 1642. John Winthrope Esquire was chosen 
Governour, and John Endicut Esquire Deputy Governor: 
The number of Freemen added were about 1232.^ This 
Spring Cowes and Cattle of that kind (having continued at 
an excessive price so long as any came over with estates to 
purchase them) fell of a suddain in one week from 22 I. the 
Cow, to 6. 7. or 8. l. the Cow at most, insomuch that it made 
all men admire how it came to pass,^ it being the common 
practice of those that had any store of Cattel, to sell every 
year a Cow or two, which cloath'd their backs, fil'd their 
bellies with more varieties then the Country of it self afforded, 
and put gold and silver in their purses beside. Here the 
Reader is desired to take notice of the wonderful providence 
of the most high God toward these his new-planted Churches, 
such as was never heard of, since that Jacobs sons ceased to 
be a people, that in ten or twelve years planting, there should 
be such wonderful alteration, a Nation to be born in a day, 
a Commonwealth orderly brought forth from a few Fugitives. 
All the Forraign plantations that are of forty, fifty, or a hun- 
dred years standing, cannot really report the like, although 
they have had the greatest incouragements earth could afford. 
Kings to countenance them, staple commodities to provoke 
all manner of Merchants to resort unto them, silver, gold, 

' True figure, 138. 

^ Probably the main explanation lay in the stopping of emigration by the 
changed conditions in England since the summons of the Long Parliament. 



210 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1642 

precious stones, or whatever might intice the eye or ear to 
incHne the motion of man toward them. [T]his remote, 
rocky, barren, bushy, wild-woody wilderness, a receptacle for 
Lions, Wolves, Bears, Foxes, Rockoones, Bags, Bevers, 
Otters, and all kind of wild creatures, a place that never 
afforded the Natives better then the flesh of a few wild crea- 
tures and parch't Indian corn incht out with Chesnuts and 
bitter Acorns, now through the mercy of Christ becom a second 
England for fertilness in so short a space, that it is indeed the 
wonder of the world; but being already forgotten of the very 
persons that tast of it at present, although some there be 
that keep in memory his mercies multitude, and declare it to 
their childrens children. 

First to begin with the encrease of food, you have heard 
in what extream penury these people were in at first planting. 
For want of food, gold, silver, rayment, or whatsoever was 
precious in their eyes they parted with (when ships came in). 
For this, their beast that died, some would stick before they 
were cold, and sell their poor pined flesh for food, at 6. d. per 
pound, Indian Beans at 16. s. per bushel. When Ships came 
in, it grieved some Master[s] to see the urging of them by people 
of good rank and quality to sell bread unto them. But now 
take notice how the right hand of the most high hath altered 
all, and men of the meaner rank are urging them to buy bread 
of them, and now good white and wheaten bread is no dainty, 
but even ordinary man hath his choice, if gay cloathing, and 
a liquerish tooth after sack, sugar, and plums lick not away 
his bread too fast, all which are but ordinary among those 
that were not able to bring their owne persons over at their 
first coming; there are not many Towns in the Country, but 
the poorest person in them hath a house and land of his own, 
and bread of his own growing, if not some cattel : beside, flesh 
is now no rare food, beef, pork, and mutton being frequent 
in many houses, so that this poor Wilderness hath not onely 
equalized England in food, but goes beyond it in some places 
for the great plenty of wine and sugar, which is ordinarily 
spent, apples, pears, and quince tarts instead of their former 
Pumpkin Pies. Poultry they have plenty, and great rarity, 
and in their feasts have not forgotten the English fashion of 
stirring up their appetites with variety of cooking their food; 



1642] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 211 

and notwithstanding all this great and almost miraculous 
work of the Lord, in providing for his people in this barren 
desart, yet are there here (as in other places) some that use 
these good creatures of God to excess, and others, to hoard up 
in a wretched and miserable manner, pinch themselves sltk} 
their children with food, and will not tast of the good crea- 
tures God hath given for that end, but cut Church and Com- 
monwealth as short also: Let not such think to escape the 
Lords hand with as little a stroke, as the like do in other 
places. 

Secondly, For rayment, our cloth hath not been cut short, 
as but of late years the traders that way have encreased to 
snch a number, that their shops have continued full all the 
year long, all one England; ^ besides the Lord hath been 
pleased to encrease sheep extraordinarily of late, hemp and 
flax here is great plenty, hides here are more for the number 
of persons then in England; and for cloth, here is and would 
be materials enough to make it; but the Farmers deem it 
better for their profit to put away their cattel and corn for 
cloathing, then to set upon making of cloth; if the Merchants 
trade be not kept on foot, they fear greatly their corne and 
cattel will lye in their hands: assuredly the plenty of cloath- 
ing hath caused much excess of late in those persons, who 
have clambered with excess in wages for their work, but see- 
ing it will be the theam of our next discourse, after the birds 
are setled, it may be here omitted. 

Further, the Lord hath been pleased to turn all the wig- 
wams, huts, and hovels the English dwelt in at their first 
coming, into orderly, fair, and well-built houses, well furnished 
many of them, together with Orchards filled with goodly 
fruit trees, and gardens with variety of flowers: There are 
supposed to be in the Mattachusets Government at this day, 
neer a thousand acres of land planted for Orchards and Gar- 
dens, besides their fields are filled with garden fruit, there 
being, as is supposed in this Colony, about fifteen thousand 
acres in tillage, and of cattel about twelve thousand neat, 
and about three thousand sheep. Thus hath the Lord in- 
couraged his people with the encrease of the general, although 

• The same as in England. 



212 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1642 

many particulars are outed/ hundreds of pounds, and some 
thousands, yet are there many hundreds of labouring men, 
who had not enough to bring them over, yet now worth scores, 
and some hundreds of pounds; to be sure the Lord takes 
notice of all his talents, and will call to accompt in time: 
This brief survey of things will be of good use when time 
serves, in mean time you shall understand. 



Chap. XXII. 

Of the manner of planting Towns and Churches in N. E. and 
in particular of the Church and Town at Woohurn, being 
the three and twentieth Church of Christ in the Matta- 
chusets Government.^ 

There was a Town and Church erected called Wooburn,' 
this present year, but because all the action of this wander- 
ing people meet with great variety of censures, the Author 
will in this Town and Church set down the manner how this 
people have populated their Towns, and gathered their 
Churches, that the reverend Mr. Rathbone may be better in- 
formed, then when he wrote his book concerning the Churches 
of N. E.^ and all others that are experienced in the holy Scrip- 
tures, may lay the actions of N. E. to the Rule, and try them 

* Many individuals have lost, are out of pocket. 

' This chapter is in its way a locus dassicus for the genesis of the Massachu- 
setts towns and churches, or at least for the procedure followed after the General 
Court and the people had settled down to a regular course of action. The earli- 
est towns — Salem, Dorchester, Charlestown, Watertown, Boston — did not owe 
their foundation as settlements to definite acts of the General Court, but came 
into existence by less formal processes. Woburn's case is, however, typical of 
the greater number. The fulness with which it is narrated is, of course, owing 
to the prominent part which the author had in the beginnings of town and church 
there. See the Introduction. 

3 The name Woburn was given in compliment to Captain Robert Sedgwick 
of Charlestown, a neighbor of Johnson's and a member of Charlestown's com- 
mittee for the survey, who was born at Woburn in Bedfordshire. Later, Sedg- 
wick was sergeant-major of the Essex regiment (see p. 229, post), then an oflBcer 
and finally a major-general under Cromwell. He died in 1656 in Jamaica, hav- 
ing been appointed by the Protector one of the commissioners for governing that 
island after the capture by Penn and Venables. 

* See p. 137, note 1. 




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1G42] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 213 

by the balance of the Sanctuary, for assuredly they greatly 
desire they may be brought to the light, for great is the truth, 
and will prevail, yet have they their errings as well as others, 
but yet their imperfections may not blemish the truths of 
Christ; let them be glorified, and these his people will will- 
ingly take shame to themselves, wherein they have miscarried : 
But to begin, this Town, as all others, had its bounds fixed by 
the General Court, to the contenese [contents] of four miles 
square, (beginning at the end of Charles Town bounds). 
The grant is to seven men of good and honest report,' upon 
condition, that within two year they erect houses for habita- 
tion thereon, and so go on to make a Town thereof, upon the 
Act of Court; these seven men have power to give and grant 
out lands unto any persons who are willing to take up their 
dwellings within the said precinct, and to be admitted to al 
common priviledges of the said Town, giving them such an 
ample portion, both of Medow and Upland, as their present 
and future stock of cattel and hands were like to improve, 
with eye had to others that might after come to populate the 
said Town; this they did without any respect of persons, yet 
such as were exorbitant, and of a turbulent spirit, unfit for a 
civil society, they would reject, till they come to mend their 
manners; such came not to enjoy any freehold. These seven 
men ordered and disposed of the streets of the Town, as might 
be best for improvement of the Land, and yet civil and re- 
ligious society maintained; to which end those that had 
land neerest the place for Sabbath Assembly, had a lesser 
quantity at home, and more farther off to improve for corn, 
of all kinds; they refused not men for their poverty, but ac- 
cording to their ability were helpful to the poorest sort, in 
building their houses, and distributed to them land accord- 
ingly; the poorest had six or seven acres of Medow, and 
twenty five of Upland, or thereabouts. Thus was this Town 

• In the case of Woburn it was, by exception, the Charlestown church that 
in November, 1640, appointed the seven men who supervised the new settlement. 
Johnson was one of them, and was at once chosen their recorder or town clerk. 
The town records (after a preliminary piece of characteristic verse, reproduced 
in fac-simile on the opposite page) open with a minute and interesting narrative 
of the surveys and other preliminaries, written by Johnson. Building probably 
began in 1641. 



214 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1642 

populated, to the number of sixty families, or thereabout, 
and after this manner are the Towns of New England peopled. 
The scituation of this Town is in the highest part of the yet 
peopled land, neere upon the head-springs of many consider- 
able rivers, or their branches, as the first rise of Ipswitch 
river, and the rise of Shashin ^ river, one of the most con- 
siderable branches of Merrimeck, as also the first rise of 
Mistick river and ponds, it is very full of pleasant springs, 
and great variety of very good water, which the Summers 
heat causeth to be more cooler, and the Winters cold maketh 
more warmer; their Medows are not large, but lye in divers 
places to particular dwellings, the like doth their Springs; 
their Land is very fruitful in many places, although they 
have no great quantity of plain land in any one place, yet 
doth their Rocks and Swamps yeeld very good food for cattel; 
as also they have Mast and Tar for shipping, but the distance 
of place by land causeth them as yet to be unprofitable ; they 
have great store of iron ore; their meeting-house stands in 
a small Plain, where four streets meet; the people are very 
laborious, if not exceeding some of them. 

Now to declare how this people proceeded in religious 
matters, and so consequently all the Churches of Christ 
planted in New-England, when they came once to hopes of 
being such a competent number of people, as might be able 
to maintain a Minister, they then surely seated themselves, 
and not before, it being as unnatural for a right N. E. man 
to live without an able Ministery, as for a Smith to work his 
iron without a fire; therefore this people that went about 
placing down a Town, began the foundation-stone, with 
earnest seeking of the Lords assistance, by humbling of their 
souls before him in dales of prayer, and imploring his aid in 
so weighty a work, then they address themselves to attend 
counsel of the most Orthodox and ablest Christians, and more 
especially of such as the Lord had already placed in the 
Ministery, not rashly running together themselves into a 
Church, before they had hopes of attaining an Officer to preach 
the Word, and administer the Seals unto them, chosing rather 
to continue in fellowship with some other Church for their 

• Shawshin or Shawsheen. 



1642] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 215 

Christian watch over them, till the Lord would be pleased to 
provide: They after some search meet with a young man 
named Mr. Thomas Carter, then belonging to the Church of 
Christ at Water-Town, a reverend godly man, apt to teach 
the sound and wholesome truths of Christ; having attained 
their desires, in hopes of his coming unto them, were they 
once joyned in Church-estate, he exercising his gifts of preach- 
ing and prayer among them in the mean time, and more 
especially in a day of fasting and prayer.^ Thus these godly 
people interest their affections one with the other, both 
Minister and people : After this they make ready for the work, 
and the 24. of the 6. moneth^ 1642. they assemble together 
in the morning about eight of the clock; After the reverend 
Mr. Syms had continued in preaching and prayer about the 
space of four or five houres, the persons that were to joyn in 
Covenant, openly and professedly before the Congregation, 
and messengers of divers Neighbour Churches — among whom 
the reverend Elder of Boston, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Wilson, Mr. 
Allen of Charles-Town, Mr. Shepheard of Cambridg, Mr. 
I Dunster of Water-Town, Mr. Knowles of Deadham, Mr. Allen 
j of Roxbury, Mr. Eliot of Dorchester, ]\Ir. Mather: As also it 
1 is the duty of the Magistrates (in regard of the good and 
\ peace of the civil Government) to be present, at least some 
j one of them (not only to prevent the disturbance might 
' follow in the Commonwealth by any, who under pretence of 
J Church-Covenant, might bring in again those cursed opinions 
5 that caused such commotion in this and the other Colony, to 
I the great dammage of the people) but also to countenance 
|1 the people of God in so pious a work, that under them they 
Ij may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and hon- 
^ esty; for this cause was present the honored Mr. Increase 
I Nowel — the persons stood forth and first confessed what the 
'[ Lord had done for their poor souls, by the work of his Spirit 
\\ in the preaching of his Word, and Providences, one by one; 
;l and that all might know their faith in Christ was bottomed 
.( 

' In April, 1642. They had first tried to engage Rev. Jonathan Burr (p. 192) 
as pastor, then Rev. John Miller. Thomas Carter, INI.A. of St. John's College, 
Cambridge, 1633, came to New England in 1635. He was pastor of the Wobum 
church forty-two years. 

* /. e., August 24. But the Woburn town records give the date as August 14. 



216 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1642 

upon him, as he is revealed in his Word, and that from their 
own knowledg, they also declare the same, according to that 
measure of understanding the Lord had given them; the 
Elders, or any other messengers there present question with 
them, for the better understanding of them in any points they 
doubt of, which being done, and all satisfied, they in the name 
of the Churches to which they do belong, hold out the right 
hand of fellowship unto them, they declaring their Covenant, 
in words expressed in writing to this purpose. 

The Church-Covenant 

We that do assemble our selves this day before God and 
his people, in an unfeigned desire to be accepted of him as a 
Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the Rule of the 
New-Testament, do acknowledg our selves to be the most 
unworthy of all others, that we should attain such a high 
grace, and the most unable of our selves to the performance 
of any thing that is good, abhorring our selves for all our 
former defilements in the worship of God, and other wayes, 
and resting only upon the Lord Jesus Christ for attonement, 
and upon the power of his grace for the guidance of our whole 
after course, do here in the name of Christ Jesus, as in the 
presence of the Lord, from the bottom of our hearts agree 
together through his grace to give up our selves, first unto the 
Lord Jesus as our only King, Priest and Prophet, wholly to 
be subject unto him in all thing, and therewith one unto 
another, as in a Church-Body to walk together in all the 
Ordinances of the Gospel, and in all such mutual love and 
offices thereof, as toward one another in the Lord; and all 
this, both according to the present light that the Lord hath 
given us, as also according to all further light, which he shall 
be pleased at any time to reach out unto us out of the Word 
by the goodness of his grace, renouncing also in the same 
Covenant all errors and Schismes, and whatsoever by-wayes 
that are contrary to the blessed rules revealed in the Gospel, 
and in particular the inordinate love and seeking after the 
things of the world. 

Every Church hath not the same for words, for they are j 
not for a form of words. 



1642] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 217 

The 22. of the 9. moneth* following Mr. Thomas Carter 
was ordained Pastor, in presence of the Hke Assembly. After 
he had exercised in preaching and prayer the greater part of 
the day, two persons in the name of the Church laid their 
hands upon his head, and said, We ordain thee Thomas 
Carter to be Pastor unto this Church of Christ; then one of 
the Elders Priest [Present], being desired of the Church, 
continued in prayer unto the Lord for his more especial as- 
sistance of this his servant in his work, being a charge of such 
weighty importance, as is the glory of God and salvation of 
souls, that the very thought would make a man to tremble 
in the sense of his own inability to the work. The people 
having provided a dwelling house, built at the charge of the 
Town in general, welcomed him unto them with joy, that the 
Lord was pleased to give them such a blessing, that their eyes 
may see their Teachers, After this there were divers added 
to the Church daily after this manner: the person desirous to 
joyn with the Church, cometh to the Pastor, and makes him 
acquainted therewith, declaring how the Lord hath been 
pleased to work his conversion, who discerning hopes of the 
persons faith in Christ, although weak, yet if any appear, he 
is propounded to the Church in general for their approbation, 
touching his godly life and conversation, and then by the 
Pastor and some brethren heard again, who make report to 
the Church of their charitable approving of the person; but 
before they come to joyn with the Church, all persons within 
the Towne have publike notice of it, then publikely he declares 
the manner of his conversion, and how the Lord hath been 
pleased by the hearing of his Word preached, and the work 
of his Spirit in the inward parts of his soul, to bring him out 
of that natural darkness, which all men are by nature in and 
under, as also the measure of knowledg the Lord hath been 
pleased to indue him withal. And because some men cannot 
speak publikely to edification through bashfulness, the less is 
required of such, and women speak not publikely at all, for 
all that is desired, is to prevent the polluting the blessed 

' November 22. The ordination of Carter was famous, and by Winthrop 
(II. 88) was censured because its central ceremony, the imposition of hands, 
was performed by lay members of the church (one of them doubtless Johnson 
himself), Congregational custom requiring that this should be performed by 
some of the elders or ministers present. 



218 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1642 

Ordinances of Christ by such as walk scandalously, and that 
men and women do not eat and drink their own condemna- 
tion, in not discerning the Lords body. After this manner 
were many added to this Church of Christ, and those 7. that 
joyned in Church-fellowship at first, are now encreased to 74. 
persons, or therabout; of which, according to their own 
confession, as is supposed, the greater part having been con- 
verted by the preaching of the Word in N. E. by which may 
appear the powerful efficacy of the word of Christ in the 
mouth of his Ministers, and that this way of Christ in joyning 
together in Church-Covenant, is not only for building up of 
souls in Christ, but also for converting of sinners, and bring- 
ing them out of the natural condition to be ingrafted into 
Christ, for if this one Church have so many, then assuredly 
there must be a great number comparatively throughout all 
the Churches in the Country. After this manner have the 
Churches of Christ had their beginning and progress hitherto; 
the Lord continue and encrease them the world throughout. 
The Pastor of this Church hath much encreased with the 
encreasings of Christ Jesus, of whose labours in the Lord as 
followeth. 

Carter, Christ hath his wayes thee taught, and them [thou] 

Hast not with-held his Word, but unto all 
With's word of power dost cause stout souls to bow. 

And meek as Lambs before thy Christ to fall: 
The antient truths, plain paths, they fit thee best, 

Thy humble heart all haughty acts puts by, 
The lowly heart, Christ learns his lovely hest, 

Thy meekness shews thy Christ to thee is nigh; 
Yet must thou shew Christ makes his bold to be 

As Lions, that none may his truths tread down, 
Pastoral power he hath invested thee 

With, it maintain, least he on thee do frown: 
Thy youth thou hast in this New-England spent, 

Full sixteen years to water, plant, and prune 
Trees taken up, and for that end here sent; 

Thy end's with Christ, with's Saints his praises tune. 

This year the General Court made an order about pre- 
paring houses for Salt-peter, that there might be powder 
made in the Country, but as yet it hath not gone on. 



1643] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 219 



Chap. XXIII. 

Of the uniting of the four English Colonies in N. E. and the 
battel fought between the Narragansets, and Mawhiggins. 

The yeare 1643, the honored John Winthrop Esquire 
was chosen Governor again, and John Endicut Esquire Deputy 
Governour; the freemen added were about 87.* this year. 
The four Colonies, the Mattachusets, Phmoth, Canectico, and 
New-haven, taking into consideration the many Nations of 
Dutch, Zewes,^ and French, that were on either side of them; 
as also how apt they were to lay claim to lands they never 
had any right unto, but only a paper possession of their own 
framing; and further, that the inhumane and barbarous Ind- 
ians would be continually quarrelling and contending, could 
they see any hopes of prevailing, together with the contestion 
begim in our Native country, and withal, that although 
providence had cast them into four several Colonies, yet 
Religion had already united them, coming over all for one 
and the same end. Hereupon by Commissioners sent from 
the several colonies, they concluded a firm confederation to 
assist each other in all just and lawful war, bearing an equal 
proportion in the charge, according to the number of persons 
inhabiting each colony; but herein the Mattachuset had the 
worst end of the staff, in bearing as much, or more charge, 
then all the other three, and yet no greater number of Com- 
missioners to negotiate and judg in transacting of affairs 
concerning peace and war, then the least of the other, and 
any one of the other as likely to involve them in a chargeable 
war with the naked Natives, that have neither plunder nor 
cash to bear the charge of it, nay hitherto the most hath 
risen from the lesser colonies, yet are the Mattachusets far 
from deserting them, esteeming them highly, so long as their 
Governments maintain the same purity in Religion with them- 
selves, for indeed this is that they have spent their whole 
travel for, and therefore if Plimoth, or any of the other shall 

1 Read 78. 

* Read Swedes. For the text of the famous New England Confederation 
of 1643, see Bradford, in this series, pp. 382-388, or Winthrop- 11. lOO-lO^ 



220 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1643 

draw back herein, the chiefest end of their confederacy would 
be lost; for should it come to pass that (in venturing their 
persons and estates so far for purity in the Ordinances and 
Discipline of Christ) they should lose the purity in doctrine, 
all their cost and labour were lost. This confederacy being 
finished, there came in certain Indian Sachims, and submitted 
to the English Government, as Pomham, and Soccananocoh 
to the Mattachusets ; also Miantonemo and Uncas; but be- 
tween these two latter Princes arose a very hot quarrel, the 
English seeking by all means to quench it, but could not, it 
being, as is supposed, fomented by a small company of vaca- 
bond English, who were then for their crimes banished from 
their own complices at Rhode Island, the Ringleader of them 
being one Samuel Gorton, by whose mean they were drawn 
into damnable errors.^ These Gortonists, as is said, lent 
Miantonenemo a Corslet for safeguard of his own person in 
the following fight, and he promised each of them a Maw- 
chiggin ^ papoose, which was the people Uncas was Prince of. 
For although Miantonemo were the more potent Prince by 
far, and a very austere man, yet did he chuse rather to take 
Uncasses life away by treachery if he could; and to that end 
hired a young man of the Pegod Nation to murther him, as 
is supposed, for in an evening, when it was very neer dark, 
this Sachim passing without any of his Retinue from one 
wigwam to another, was suddainly shot through the arm with 
an arrow, seeing not whence it came; but yet recovering the 
Palace he was passing unto, without receiving any more 
shot, he had the arrow drawn forth, and the wound cured in 
a short time after; the young man, who was suspected to 
have done the fact, having great store of Wampumpeage 
about this time, being questioned how he came by it, could 
give no good accompt, which encreased the suspition the more, 
that he had received it as hire from Miantonemo for this fact; 

^Samuel Gorton had come to Plymouth in 1636, to Aquidneck in 1639, 
to Providence (Pawtuxet) in 1641, everywhere becoming involved in controversy, 
and in 1643 to Shawomet (now Warwick, R. I.), where, on land bought from 
Miantonomoh, he and his followers made their final settlement. Heretical in 
religion, insubordinate and contentious in disposition, they were a thorn in the 
side of Massachusetts, and were finally suppressed in the high-handed manner 
described in the next chapter. 

' Mohegan. 



1643] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 221 

and hereupon the young man fled unto him, which caused 
Uncas to complain to the Enghsh, who having the hearing of 
the case at a General Court holden at Boston, at the same 
time Miantonemo coming thither with his attendance, and 
sending one of his Councellors to follow the matter in hand, 
the young man was examined in presence of Miantonemo; 
being, as is supposed, tutored by him, he told this tale, that 
while he was in Uncasses Court, on a day travelling alone by 
a thick swamp, Uncas call'd him out of the swamp, charging 
him to be true to him, in declaring to the English what he 
required to him, which was, that he should say he had been 
hired of Miantonemo to kill him, and to make his matter good, 
quoth the young man, he then cut his arm on the top and 
underneath with the flint of his Gun, to make men think he 
had beene shot through with an arrow. This tale made the 
English more to suspect Miantonemo then before; and there- 
fore desired to examine the young man alone, which he was 
very unwilling they should do; but upon further examina- 
tion alone, they did verily believe this young man had done 
the fact, yet for present they let him depart with Miantonemo, 
advising him to send him home to Uncas, but by the way he, 
instead of returning him home, cut off his head, and forth- 
with gathered an army of about a thousand men to fight 
with Uncas, who feared not to meet him in the field with half 
the number; the battel being come within shot one of another, 
with a great hubbub they let their long shafts fly one at 
another, and after came to a close with other weapons, till 
the Narrowgansets multitude being sorely distressed by the 
Mawhiggins valour, they began to cry out Wammeck,' which 
is to say, enough. Uncas like a stout commander, with others 
of his bloud-royal that were about him, sought to perfect his 
victory, by possessing himself with the person of their Prince, 
which he effected, by putting his Life-guard to flight, and 
taking hold on the Sachim himself, carried him victoriously 
away to the Town of Hartford, neer the which he kept his 
residence at this time, and then made the English acquainted 
there with his noble design, and desired to have the advise of 
the united colonies what to do with his prisoner; the Nar- 

' Wood gives the word as wawmott. 



222 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1643 

rowgansets sought to ransom him home, being much abashed, 
that so mean a Prince as Uncas was should scape scotfree 
with such a victory; but the honored Commissioners have 
had proof of Miantonemo's treachery, both toward this 
Prince that had him in possession, and toward the Enghsh 
in falsifying his promise with them; they advised Uncas to 
put him to death, but withall, that he should forbear to exer- 
cise any barbarous cruelty toward him, as their manner is, 
and by this means the English prevented another war, both 
with English and Indians, which was very neer joyning 
in battel. Not many years after, ^ the Indian Sachini upon 
this advise, caused Miantonemo to be led forth, as if he would 
remove him to a more safer place of custody, and by the way 
caused him to be executed ; the Indians, his kindred and sub- 
jects, were much grieved at his death, yet took it quietly at 
present, but the lesser Princes, his Neighbours, rather re- 
joyced, he having tyrannized over them, and enforced them 
to subject to his will, right or wrong. 



Chap. XXIV. 

Of the proceeding of certain persons called Gortonists, against 
the united Colonies, and more especially against the Matta- 
chusets, and of the blasphemous doctrines broached by Gor- 
ton, deluding a company of poor ignorant people therewith.^ 

For not long before, those persons that we spake of, who 
incouraged Miantonemo to this war, and with the help of 
him enforced Pomham and Socananocho to set their hands 
to a writing which these Gortonists had framed, to take their 
land from them; but the poor Sachems, when they saw they 

• Only a few weeks after. The sachem of the Narragansetts was one of 
the nobler sort of savages, and his fate has commanded frequent sympathy. 

* One would not learn from Johnson that the "harrying of the Gortonists" 
was one of the most discreditable episodes of early Massachusetts history. Pum- 
ham and Socananoco were savages of the baser sort, and the English neighbors 
of Gorton mentioned below were selfish schemers trying to get his lands, but the 
government of Massachusetts lent itself to their machinations, and, extending 
its jurisdiction unwarrantably over the Shawomet region, drove out the heretics 
with great harshness and illegal cruelty. 



1643] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 223 

were thus giill'd of their land, would take no pay for it, but 
complained to the Mattachusets Government, to whom they 
had subjected themselves and their lands: As also at this 
time certain English inhabiting those parts, with the Indians 
good leave and liking, desired to have the benefit of the 
Mattachusets Government, as Dover formerly had done, to 
whom this Government condescended, in hope they might 
encrease to such a competent number of godly Christians, as 
that there might be a Church of Christ planted, the place 
being capable to entertain them in a comfortable measure 
for outward accommodation, but hitherto it hath been hin- 
dred by these Gortonists, and one of Plimoth who forbad our 
people to plant there: These person[s] thus submitting, came 
at this time also to complain of certain wrongs done them by 
these Gortonists, who had thus incroached, and began to 
build on the Indians land; upon these complaints, the Gover- 
nor and the honored Mr. Dudly issue forth their Warrant, to 
summon them to appear, they being then about five or six 
persons, without any means for instructing them in the waj^es 
of God, and without any civil Government to keep them in 
civility or humanity, which made them to cast off most 
proudly and disdainfully any giving accompt to man of their 
actions, no not to the chiefest in authority, but returned back 
most insolent, scornful, scurrilous speeches. After this, the 
Government of the Mattachusets sent two messengers on pur- 
pose to perswade them to come and have their cause heard, 
assuring them like justice in their cause with any other; but 
Samuel Gorton being the ring-leader of the rout, was so full 
gorged with dreadful and damnable errors, (the which he had 
newly insnared these poor souls with) that soon after the 
departure of the messenger, he layes aside all civil justice, and 
instead of returning answer to the matter in hand, he vomits 
up a whole paper ^ full of beastly stuff, one while scoffing and 
deriding the ignorance of all beside himself, that think Abra- 
ham, Isaac, etc., could be saved by Christ Jesus, who was after 
born of the Virgin Mary, another while mocking at the Sacra- 
ments of Baptism and the Lords Supper, in an opprobrious 
manner, deriding at the Elements Christ was pleased to in- 

'The paper is preserved in Gorton's strange book entitled Simplicities 
Defence against Seven-Headed Policie (London, 1646). 



224 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1643 

stitute them in, and calling them Negromancers that admin- 
ister them at all ; and in a word, all the Ordinances of the Gos- 
pel abominable Idolatry he called, and likened them to Molock, 
and the Star of the Idol Rempham; * his paper was thrust 
full of such filthiness, that no Christian ear could hear them 
without indignation against them, and all was done by him 
in a very scornful and deriding manner, upbraiding all that 
use them; in the mean time magnifying his own glorious light, 
that could see himself to be personally Christ, God-Man, and 
so all others that would believe as he did. This paper he got 
to be subscribed, with about twelve or thirteen hands, his 
number of Disciples being encreased, for assuredly the man 
had a very glosing tongue, but yet very deceitful, for when 
he had but a few with him, then he cried out against all such 
as would rule over their own species, affirming, that the Scrip- 
ture termeth such to be Gods of the world, or divels; but 
after his return from England, having received some incour- 
agement from such as could not look into the depth of his 
deceits, being done at so large a distance, he getting into 
favour again with those, who had formerly whipt him out of 
their company, turns divel himself. The godly Governors 
of the Mattachusets seeing this blasphemous Bull of his, re- 
solved to send forty persons^ well-appointed with weapons 
of war for apprehending of him, who accordingly, with some 
waiting, did apprehend him and the rest of his company, 
except two or three which ran away, without any hurt to any 
person, although he gave out very big words, threatning them 
with bloud and death so soon as they set foot on the ground, 
and yet this brazenfaced deceiver published in print the great 
fear their women were put unto by the souldiers, whereas 
they came among them day by day, and had it not been that 
they intended peaceably to take them, they would never 
have waited so long upon their worships as they did, but 
being apprehended, and standing to that they had written 
(yet would they willingly have covered it with some shifts if 
they could) the greatest punishment they had, was to be con- 
fin'd to certain Towns for a few moneths, and afterward ban- 

* Acts vii. 43. 

* Three commissioners were at the head of the party, and our author was one 
of the three. They carried out their instructions with great severity. 



1644] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 225 

ished; but to be sure there be them in N. E. that have Christ 
Jesus and his blessed Ordinances in such esteem, that the 
Lord assisting, they had rather lose their lives, then suffer 
them to be thus blasphemed if they can help it; and whereas 
some have favoured them, and endeavoured to bring under 
blame such as have been zealous against their abominable 
doctrines, the good God be favourable unto them, and pre- 
vent them from coming under the like blame with Ahab, yet 
they remain in their old way, and there's somewhat to be con- 
sidered in it to be sure, that in these dales, when all look for 
the fall of Antichrist, such detestable doctrines should be 
upheld, and persons suffered, that exceed the Beast himself 
for blasphemy, and this to be done by those that would be 
counted Reformers, and such as seek the utter subversion of 
Antichrist. 

To end this year, or rather at the beginning of it, the Lord 
caused another Earthquake, much less then the former, it 
was on the fifth of the first moneth called March* in the 
morning. 

Chap. XXV. 

Of the 'planting the twenty fourth Church of Christ at the Town 
of Readding, and the twenty fifth Church of Christ in the 
Mattachusets Government, called Wenham. 

This year was chosen to the place of Governor John Endi- 
cut Esquire, and John Winthrope Esquire Deputy Governour; 
the number of freemen added about 145. this year.^ 

The Town of Readding had her foundation stone laid 
about this time.^ This and the Town of Wooburn were like the 
twins in the womb of Tamar, Readding thrusting forth the 
hand first, but Wooburn came first to the birth.* This 
Town is well watered, and scituate about a great pond, be- 
sides it hath two mills, the one a Saw-mill, the other a Corn- 
mill, which stand on two several streams; it hath not been 
so fruitful for children as her Sister hath, her habitation is 
fallen in the very center of the country; they are well stocked 

' /. e., March 5, 1644. » In fact, 46. 

» Really, in 1645. * Genesis xxxviii. 28-30. 



226 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1644 

with cattel, for the number of people they have. They 
gathered into a church, and ordained a Pastor from among 
themselves at the same time, a young man of good abilities 
to preach the Word, and of a very humble behaviour, named 
Mr. Green. He having finished his course, departed this life 
not long after, whose labours are with the Lord; after him 
succeeded in the place one Mr. Hoph, a young man, one of 
the first fruits of N. E. a man studious to promote the truths 
of Christ; they are both remembred in this following verse.* 

On earths bed thou at noon hast laid thy head; 

You for that [that for] Christ (as Green) here toyl have taken, 
When nature fails, then rest it in earths dead, 

Till Christ by's word with glory thee awaken. 
Young Hoph thou must be second to this man, 

In field incounter, with Christ's foes shalt thou 
Stand up, and take his bright sword in thy hand, 

Error cut down, and make stout stomacks bow; 
Green's gone before, thy warfare's now begun. 

And last it may to see Romes Babel fall; 
By weakest means Christ mighty works hath done, 

Keep footing fast, till Christ thee hence do call. 

The next Town and church of Christ planted in this colony, 
was between Salem and Ipswitch. Salem the eldest of all 
the Sisters was very helpful to this her little Sister, nourish- 
ing her up in her own bosom, till she came of age, being bene- 
ficial to her besides, in giving her a good portion of Land; 
this Town is called Wenham, and is very well watered, as 
most in-land Towns are. The people live altogether upon 
husbandry. New England having train'd up great store to 
this occupation; they are encreased in cattel, and most of 
them live very well, yet are they no great company; they 
were some good space of time there before they gathered 
into a Church-body. The godly and reverend Mr. John Fisk 
went thither with them, at first setting down as a planter 
among them, yet wHhal he became helpful in preaching the 
Word unto them, when they were but a few in number; 

* The Reading church was organized in 1645. Henry Green died in 1648, 
and was succeeded by Samuel Hough, who, as Johnson's phrase impHes, was 
one of the earliest students at Harvard College, but was not graduated. 



1644-1651] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 227 

they afterward call'd him to the office of a Pastor, with whom 
he now remains, labouring in the Word and Doctrine, with 
great industry,^ of whom it may be thus said: 

To wade through toyl of Wilderness, thou hast 

Doubled thy work, thy wages treble are; 
Christ hath thee call'd and in his vineyard plac't, 

He'l bear thee up above all fainting far. 
Sions strong Mount must now again be built, 

Thy faith, oh Fisk, the Lord hath holpen much; 
With dreadful sighs the Prelats power hath split. 

All pride he'l stain by his almighty touch. 
His truths unstain'd by liberty keep thou. 

To please the most, authority must fall, 
What Christ hath given, it safely keep with you, 

Till he to thee for thine accompt do call. 



Chap. XXVI. 

Of the military affairs, the forts of Boston, and Charles[tovm], 
the Castle erected anew by the six neerest Towns, with the 
manner of putting the Country in a posture of war, to he 
ready upon all occasions. 

These souldiers of Christ Jesus, having made a fair re- 
treat from their Native country hither, and now being come 
to a convenient station, resolved to stand it out (the Lord 
assisting) against all such as should come to rob them of their 
priviledges, which the Lord Christ had purchased for them at 
a very high rate, and now out of the riches of his grace was 
minded to give them, yet would he have them follow him into 
this Wilderness for it: although the chiefest work of these 
select bands of Christ, was to mind their spiritual warfare, 
yet they knew right well the Temple was surrounded wdth 
walls and bulworks, and the people of God in re-edifying the 
same, did prepare to resist their enemies with weapons of war, 
even while they continued building. This people no less 
diligent to make use of such means as the Lord afforded them, 

*Rev. John Fiske and most of the Wenham church removed bodily to 
Chelmsford in 1655. 



228 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1644-1651 

ordered and decreed, That all the souldiers belonging to the 
26. bands in the Mattachusets Government, should be exer- 
cised and drill'd eight dales in a yeare, and whosoever should 
absent himself, except it were upon unavoidable occasion, 
should pay 5 s. for every dales neglect; there are none ex- 
empt, unless it be a few timerous persons that are apt to 
plead infirmity, if the Church chuse them not for Deacons, 
or they cannot get to serve some Magistrate or Minister; * 
but assuredly the generality of this people are very forward 
for feats of war, and many have spent their time and estates 
to further this work ; the Town of Boston hath afforded many 
active, Charles-Town hath not been inferiour, unless it be in 
number. This year the Court appointed certain persons to 
spend their skill in putting the people possessing this deso- 
late desart in a ready posture of drawing their forces together, 
upon any suddain accident that might befall them, to man- 
nage, guide, order, and direct all things, as may be best for 
the good of the whole, they being a poor and mean people, 
laboured to avoid high titles, yet order they knew was neces- 
sary, therefore ordained they only one General Officer in time 
of war, under the name of Major General; ^ the Governor and 
Magistrates for the time being are the standing Councel for 
peace or war, and either they or the General Court may ap- 
point any to the office of a General; the first Major-General 
was the much honored Tho. Dudly Esquire, whose faithfulness 
and great zeal and love to the truths of Christ, caused the 
people to chuse him to this office, although he were far stricken 

• Act of November, 1647, decreeing eight days for training. "All majes- 
trates, deputies, oflBcers of Court, elders and deacons, the president, ffellowes, 
students, and oflBcers of Harvard CoUedge, and all proffessed schoole masters al- 
lowed by any two majestrates, the treasurer, auditor gene", surveior gennerall 
of the armes, publick notaries, phisitions, chirurgeons allowed by any two majes- 
trates, masters of shipps, and other vessells above twenty tunns, millers and con- 
stant heardsmen, and such other as shall by any Court be dischardged, either for 
bodily infirmity or other reasonable cause, shall be exempt from ordinary trayn- 
ings, watchings, and wardings, but not their sonns or servants, save one servant 
of every majestrate allowed exemption." Johnson glances humorously at the 
easiest means of escape. 

• "Avoiding high titles," they called the commander of each of their regiments 
not colonel but sergeant-major, and then gave to their commander-in-chief the 
title of sergeant-major-general (i. e., general sergeant-major), whence major- 
general. 



1644-1661] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 229 

in years; * the Government is divided into four Counties, 
which to shew, they would their posterity should mind whence 
they came, they have named, Suffolk, Middlesex, Essex, and 
Northfolk, each containing a Regiment, over whom the chief 
Commander is only a Serjeant-Major; the first chosen to this 
office over the Regiment of Suffolk, was Major Edw. Gibbons, 
who hath now the office of Major-General also, he is a man of 
a resolute spirit, bold as a Lion, being wholly tutor'd up in 
N. E. Discipline, very generous, and forward to promote all 
military matters; his Forts are well contrived, and batteries 
strong, and in good repair, his great Artillery well mounted, 
and cleanly kept, half Canon, Culverins and Sakers,^ as also 
field-pieces of brass very ready for service, his own company ' 
led by Capt. Lieutenant Sarag, are very compleat in their 
arms, and many of them disciplin'd in the military garden* 
beside their ordinary trainings; the Captains under him, are 
Capt. Humphry Atherton, of the Band of Dorchester; a very 
lively couragious man, with his stout and valiant Lieutenant 
Clapes, strong for the truth; of the Band of Roxbury, Capt. 
Pri chard, and Ensign Johnson; of the Band of Waymoth, 
Capt. Perkins, and his proper and active Lieutenant Torry; 
of the Band of Hingham, Capt. Bozoan Allen; of the Band of 
Deadham, Capt. Eliazer Lusher, one of a nimble and active 
spirit, strongly affected to the ways of truth; of the Band of 
Braintree, Capt. William Tinge, these belong to the Regiment 
of Suffolk; the first Serjeant-Major chosen to order the Regi- 

^ The office of sergeant-major-general was provided for in 1643; Dudley was 
elected to it in 1644, being then sixty-seven years of age. Of the names which 
follow, several have already appeared in Johnson's enumeration of conspicuous 
deputies, in bk. i., ch. xlv. Comment on them is in most cases not requisite, 
except to correct misspellings: read Savage for Sarag, Clap for Clapes, Jennison 
for Jenings, Gookin for Goggin, Greenleaf for Greenlife. Of the three ser- 
geants-major. Gibbons (see p. 64, note 2) became major-general in 1649; for 
Sedgwick, see p. 212, note 3; Denison was major-general after Atherton, 
1661-1682. 

* Culverins were about equivalent to fifteen or eighteen-pounders; sakers to 
five or six-pounders. 

' In the military organization of the seventeenth century, the theory was that 
the colonel, or sergeant-major, commanding a regiment was also captain of its 
senior company. Hence the officer who actually led that company was, by title, 
only captain-lieutenant of it. 

* Garden in the sense of training-ground. So in "Artillery garden," below. 



230 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1644-1651 

ment of Essex/ was Major Robert Sedgwick, stout and active 
in all feats of war, nurst up in Londons Artillery garden, 
and furthered with fifteen years experience in N. E. exact 
theory, besides the help of a very good head-piece, being a 
frequent instructor of the most martial troops of our Artillery 
men; and although Charles Town, (which is the place of his 
own comy.^anies residence) do not advantage such o're-topping 
batteries as Boston doth, yet hath he erected his to ver}^ good 
purpose, insomuch that all shipping that comes in, either to 
Boston or Charles-Town, must needs face it all the time of 
their coming in; the cost he hath been at, in helping on the 
Discipline of his Regiment hath profited much; his own com- 
pany are led by the faithful Capt. Lieutenant Francis Norton, 
(a man of a bold and cheerful spirit) being well disciplin'd and 
an able man; the companies under his service have not all 
Captains at present, Water-Town Band was led by Capt. 
Jenings, who is supposed to be now in England, his Lieutenant 
remains Hugh Mason; the band of Cambridg led by Capt. 
George Cook, now Colonel Cook in the wars of Ireland, but 
now led by Capt. Daniel Gookin, a very forward man to ad- 
vance Marshal discipline, and withal the truths of Christ; 
the Band of Concord led by Capt. Simon Willard, being a 
Kentish souldier, as is Capt. Goggin; the Band of Sudbury 
lately led by Capt. Pelham, who is in England at present, his 
Lieutenant remains, Edm. Goodinow; the band of Wooburn 
led by another Kentish Captain ; ^ the Band of Reading led 
by Lieutenant Walker; the Band of Maiden, being as yet a 
young Town, who have not chosen their Officers, are led by 
Mr. Joseph Hill. These belong to the Regiment of Middlesex; 
the two Counties of Essex and Northfolk are for present joyned 
in one Regiment, their first Major, who now commandeth this 
Regiment, is the proper and valiant Major Daniel Denison, a 
good souldier, and of a quick capacity, not inferiour to any 
other of these chief Officers; his own company are well in- 
structed in feats of warlike activity, his Capt. Lieutenant 
departed this life some few years since, a godly and faithful 
man, which is indeed the fountain of true validity, named 
Mr. Whiting[h]am; the Band of Salem led by the bold and 

' Middlesex. ■ Johnson himself. 



1644-1651] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 231 

worthy Capt. William Hauthorn, a man of an undaunted 
courage, with his Lieutenant Lothrope; the Band of Lyn led 
by the honored and much respected Capt. Robert Bridges, 
who is also a Magistrate, being endued with able parts, and 
forward to improve them ^ for the glory of God and his peoples 
good; the Band of Nuberry led by Capt. Gerish, with his 
antient and experienced Lieutenant Greenlife; the Band of 
Rowly led by Capt. Brigham ; the Bands of Glocester, Wenham 
and Andover, have not yet made choice of Superiour Officers, 
being in their minority; these are the Bands of the Regiment 
of Essex, to the which are joyned the three Bands of the 
County of Northfolk, Salsbury, Hampton, and Haverhil. 
There are none chosen to office in any of these Bands, but such 
as are freemen supposed to be men indued with faith in Christ 
Jesus, wherefore let all that truly love the Lord Christ say 
with Deborah, My heart is toward the Governors of Israel, 
that offered themselves willingly among the people.^ Their 
Officers are chosen by the major Vote of the souldiers, being 
installed into their place by the Major of their Regiment. 
There are of late a very gallant horse-troop listed, it being a 
frequent thing with the Officers of the foot companies, to turn 
Troopers (when their own Regiment is not in exercise) for 
incouragement of others. The Regiments are exercised once 
a year by turnes; they are also very observant to keep their 
armes in good order; each souldier is to keep constantly by 
him powder, bullet, and match, besides every Town is injoyned 
to have a common stock in like manner, as also the country 
have their ammunition exactly looked unto, by Surveyor 
General Johnson,^ one very well qualified for the work, ready 
at all times to put the General Court in mind of keeping their 
store renued by fresh supply, and to say right, some particu- 
lar persons may be penurious in laying out their estates upon 
ammunition, but the general of Officers and souldiers are very 
generous that way; the reverend Doctor Wilson gave bounti- 
fully for the furthering this Wilderness-work, the which was 

' /. e., to make use of them. ' Judges v. 9. 

' John Johnson of Roxbury, at whose death in 1659 our Captain Edward 
Johnson was appointed his successor; the_y are not known to have been related. 
The duty of the office was to care for the arms, ordnance, ammunition, and mili- 
tary stores of the colony. 



232 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1644-1651 

expended upon great Artillery, his gift being a thousand 
pound. Beside, many persons that came over, the Lord was 
pleased to indow with a large portion of the things of this 
life, who were not backward liberally to dispose of it, to pro- 
cure means of defence, and to that end there was a castle 
built on an Island, upon the passage into the Mattachu[setts] 
Bay, wholly built at first by the country in general, but by 
reason the country affords no Lime, but what is burnt of 
Oyster-shels, it fell to decay in a few years after, which made 
many of the Towns that lay out of the defence thereof to 
desert it, although their safety (under God) was much involved 
in the constant repair and well-mannaging thereof; hereupon 
the next six Towns take upon them to rebuild it at their 
proper cost and charges, the rest of the country upon the 
finishing thereof gave them a small matter toward it ; ^ upon 
this there was a Captain ordained, and put in possession 
thereof by the country, having a yearly Stipend allowed him 
for himself and his souldiers, which he is to keep in a con- 
stant readiness upon the Island, being about eight acres of 
ground; the Castle is built on the North-East of the Island, 
upon a rising hill, very advantageous to make many shot at 
such ships as shall offer to enter the Harbor without their 
good leave and liking. The Commander of it is one Captain 
Davenport, a man approved for his faithfulness, courage and 
skill, the Master Canoneer is an active Ingineer also; this 
Castle hath cost about four thousand pounds, yet are not this 
poor pilgrim people weary of maintaining it in good repair; 
it is of very good use to awe any insolent persons, that putting 
confidence in their ship and sails, shall offer any injury to the 
people, or contemn the Government. They have certain 
signals of alarums, which suddainly spread through the whole 
country; were there but one Town more erected in this 
Government, which were one and thirty, it would joyn all the 
Towns in the same neighbourly together, excepting Spring- 
field. Thus are these people with great diligence provided 
for these dales of war, hoping the day is at hand wherein 
the Lord will give Antichrist the double of all her doings, and 
therefore they have nursed up in their Artillery garden some 

* The first fortifying of Castle Island was begun in 1634, the ordnance re- 
moved in 1638, the second fortifying, by the six towns, begun in 1643. 



1644-1651] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 233 

who have since been used, as instruments to begin the work; 
but that which gives the greatest hope concerning this par- 
ticular, is this, that these times afford more souldiers depend- 
ing on the Lord Christ through faith for dehverance and true 
valour, then any age since Antichrist began to fall, without 
which, all these preparations were but as so many traps and 
snares to catch a people in, and to the which these Com- 
manders and souldiers are daily exhorted, and therefore let 
all people know that desire the downfal of New-England, 
they are not to war against a people only exercised in feats of 
war, but men who are experienced in the deliverances of the 
Lord from the mouth of the Lion, and the paw of the Bear, 
and now woe be to you, when the same God that directed 
the stone to the forehead of the Philistine, guides every bullet 
that is shot at you, it matters not for the whole rabble of 
Antichrist on your side, the God of Armies is for us a refuge 
high. Shela. 



WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE OF SIONS 
SAVIOUR IN NEW-ENGLAND. 

Book III. 

CONTAINING THE PASSAGES OF GODS PROVIDENCE TOWARD 
THIS WANDERING RACE OF JAACOBITES IN THESE LATTER 
SEVEN YEARS, FROM THE YEAR 1645. TILL TOWARD THE 
LATTER END OF 51. 

Chap. I. 

Of 'planting the twenty sixth Church of Christ at the Town of 
Haverhil, and of preparation for a second war with the 
Indians. 

This year that antient, honored and trusty souldier of 
the truth, Thorn. Dudly Esquire was chosen Governor, and 
the honored John Winthrop Esquire was chosen Deputy 
Governor, John Endicut Esquire to the office of Major-General. 
You have heard in the former book of the fortifying of the 
Castle, and placing a Captain therein, which was not finished 
till this year; the number of freemen added was 56.^ The 
Town of Haverhil was built much about this time, lying 
higher up then Salisbury, upon the fair and large river of 
Merrimeck: the people are wholly bent to improve their 
labour in tilling the earth, and keeping of cattel, whose yearly 
encrease incourages them to spend their days in those remote 
parts. The constant penetrating farther into this Wilderness, 
hath caused the wild and uncouth woods to be fil'd with fre- 
quented wayes, and the large rivers to be over-laid with 
Bridges passeable, both for horse and foot ; this Town is of a 
large extent, supposed to be ten miles in length, there being 
an over-weaning desire in most men after Medow land, which 

* Properly 79. 
234 



1645] WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE 235 

hath caused many towns to grasp more into their hands then 
they could afterward possibly hold; the people are laborious 
in the gaining the goods of this life, yet are they not unmind- 
ful also of the chief end of their coming hither, namely, to be 
made partakers of the blessed Ordinances of Christ, that their 
souls might be refreshed with the continual income of his rich 
grace, to which end they gathered into a Church-body, and 
called to office the reverend M. Ward,* son to the former named 
M. Ward of Ipswitch. 

With mind resolv'd run out thy race at length, 

Young Ward, begin whereas thy father left, 
Left hath he not, but breaths for further strength. 

Nor thou, nor he, are yet of hope bereft: 
Fruit of thy labours thou shalt see so much, 

The righteous shall hear of it and rejoyce; 
When Babel falls by Christ's almighty touch. 

All's folk shall praise him with a cheerful voice. 
They prosper shall that Sions building mind. 

Then Ward cease not with toyl her stones to lay, 
For great is he thee to this work assign'd, 

WHiose pleasure is, heavens Crown shall be thy pay. 

This year, although divers Indian Sachems not long before 
had desired to subject themselves and lands unto this Govern- 
ment, yet the sons of old Canonicus,^ having not inherited their 
fathers prudence with his subjects and land, fell to hot con- 
tention with their own neighbours and native inhabitants, 
although they were forbidden by the united Colonies, and 
prosecuted ^ so, that they would not stick to wage war with 
the English also, which the Commissioners perceiving, they 
raised an Army of horse and foot out of the Colonies, and 
appointed as Commander in chief over them Major-General 
Edward Gibbons; the reverend Mr. Tompson, one of the 

* Rev. John Ward, son of Nathaniel Ward, the "Simple Cobler of Agga- 
wam," was bom at Haverhill in England, in which town his grandfather John 
Ward was rector, and after which our Haverhill was named, in compliment to 
the pastor. He was of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. 

*Canonicus did not die till 1647. The leaders in these machinations of 
1645, here spoken of as his sons and heirs, were doubtless his son Mixan or 
Mexanino, and his nephew Pessacus, brother of Miantonomoh. 

• Proceeded. 



236 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1645 

Elders of the Church at Braintree, was to accompany them, 
and to preach the Word of God unto them, during the time of 
the war; but the Indians hearing of this preparation against 
them, sent a certain number of their chief Nobihty to treat 
with the Commissioners of the united Colonies about a peace, 
who then sitting at Boston gave them audience. The Indians 
coming into their presence, could speak no more English, but 
peace, peace; the English were very desirous of an oppor- 
tunity to shew them mercy, and yet would they should not 
despise them, in gaining it upon such easie terms, as might 
cause them to move war again, and therefore allotted them to 
pay some part of the charge of the war intended, and there- 
fore appointed them to give four of their sons for hostages 
till they had wholly paid it; the Indians gladly accepted of 
the terms, and accordingly brought their children. Here the 
Reader should be minded of the admirable acts of the Lord 
Christ in awing these multitudes of Heathens, for they were 
the most populous of any that are in these parts; but it is 
reserved for another place in this history, the Indians being 
slow in their performance, had their hostages returned home 
before the Wapom * was paid, yet their two Princes Pesicus 
and Mexanimo, did upon the sending certain armed men to 
demand the remainder, send the sum demanded. 



Chap. II. 

Of the planting of the twenty seventh Church of Christ at the 
Town called Springfield, and of the earnest seeking the Lord 
by all the Churches of N. E. for his gracious assistance in 
the work of Reformation. 

About this time one Mr. Pinchin, sometime a Magistrate,' 
having out of desire to better his estate, by trading with the 
Indians, setled himself very remote from all the Churches of 
Christ in the Mattachusets Government, upon the river of 

' Wampum. 

* William Pynchon, founder of Roxbury and Springfield, came from Spring- 
field in Essex, England. He was one of those named as the first assistants in the 
patent of Massachusetts. 



1645] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 237 

Canectico, yet under their Government/ he having some 
godly persons resorting unto him, they there erected a Town 
and Church of Christ, calling it Springfield; it lying upon this 
large navigable river, hath the benefit of transporting their 
goods by water, and also fitly seated for a Bever trade with the 
Indians, till the Merchants encreased so many, that it became 
little worth, by reason of their out-buying one another, which 
hath caused them to live upon husbandry; this Town is mostly 
built along the river side, and upon some little rivelets of the 
same. There hath of late been more then one or two in this 
Town greatly suspected of witchcraft, yet have they used 
much diligence, both for the finding them out, and for the Lords 
assisting them against their witchery, yet have they, as is 
supposed, bewitched not a few persons, among whom two of 
the reverend Elders children.^ These people inhabiting this 
Town having gathered into a Church-body, called to the 
oflfi.ce of a Pastor the reverend M. Moxon, who remaineth with 
them at this very day, of whom as followeth. 

As thou with strong and able parts art made, 

Thy person stout with toyl and labour shall 
With help of Christ through difficulties wade; 

Then spend for him, spare not thy self at all. 
WTien errors crowd close to thy self and friends,' 

Take up truths sword, trifle not time, for why, 
Christ caird his people hither for these ends, 

To tell the world that Babels fall is nigh; 
And that his Churches through the world shall spread, 

Maugre the might of wicked men and devils. 
Then Moxon thou need'st not at all to dread, 

But be aveng'd on Satan for his evils, 
Thy Lord Christ will under thy feet him tread. 

This year the great troubles in our native country en- 
creaseing, and that hearing [hearing that] prophane Esau had 

* At first, 1636-1641, this remote frontier settlement had been regarded as 
under the jurisdiction of Connecticut rather than of Massachusetts. 

* Perhaps the earliest serious manifestation of the witchcraft delusion in 
New England. 

' This is probably a gentle reference to Pynchon's heretical book, The Meri- 
torious Price of Our Redemption (London, 1650). It was condemned by the magis- 
trates to be burned by the hangman, and Pynchon and Moxon soon after went 
back to England. 



238 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1645 

mustered up all the Bands he could make to come against his 
brother Jacob, these wandering race of Jacobites deemed it 
now high time to implore the Lord for his especial aid in this 
time of their deepest distress, and the rather being incour- 
aged hereunto from former deliverances and wonderful mercies 
received, the which they now presented before the Lord with 
the several branches and inlarged bounties thereof to refresh 
their frozen affections, and move a melting heart in their 
barren brests, that began to dry up with a lazy lethargy, and 
therefore thrusting themselves on to the work by the loving 
invitation of that godly Government the Lord in his mercy 
had peaceably placed among them, each Church in their own 
proper place meeting together in dales of solemn seeking of 
the Lords pleasing countenance in Christ ^ (the Lord in his 
mercy helping them) after a serious acknowledgment of their 
own unworthiness, by reason of their sinful provocations of 
the Lord to anger against them aggravated, in that they were 
committed immediately upon the receipt of a multitude of 
marvellous mercies, they acknowledg unto the Lord in the 
audience of the great Congregation the manner of his wonder- 
ful providence extended toward them, that as Jacob pro- 
fesses, I came over this Jordan with my staff, and now have I 
gotten two Bands; ^ so they came over this boysterous billow- 
boyling Ocean, a few poor scattered stones newly raked out of 
the heaps of rubbish, and thou Lord Christ hast now so far 
exalted them, as to lay them sure in thy Sion, a building, to 
be the wonder of the world; orderly are they placed in five 
and forty ^ several Churches, and that in a Wilderness, where 
civility scarce ever took place, much less any Religion, and now 
to the Lord earnestly they cry to be delivered from the cruel 
hands of those that would destroy both young and old, the 
bird and her young together, and as Jacobs fear was, the seed 
of Christs Church in the posterity of Israel should be cut off, 
and therefore pleaded the promise of the Lord in the multi- 
plying of his seed ; so these people at this very time, pleaded 
not only the Lords promise to Israel, but to his only Son Christ 

' August 28, 1645, was appointed as a day of fasting and humiliation for 
troubles in Old England and New; other such, with similar reference to the 
mother country, had also been appointed in 1643 and 1644. 

■ Genesis xxxii. 10. * But see p. 49, note 1. 



1645] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 239 

Jesus; Lord, hast thou not said, Ask of me, and I will give 
thee the Heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost ends of 
the earth for thy possession; and now Lord, are not these the 
Churches of Christ which thou hast planted for his possession; 
and that as Rachel and Leah built the house of Israel, so now 
shall these and the like Sister-churches spread the whole 
earth, the Lord Christ raigning as King and Lord for ever 
over them; Then why do the Heathen rage, and the people 
imagin a vain thing, seeing the time of the Lords arising to 
have mercy upon Sion is come, yea his appointed time is at 
hand; and he who walks in the midst of his golden Candle- 
sticks, whose eyes are as a flaming fire, will not suffer his 
Churches to be trodden under feet of that Antichristian 
Lordly prelacy any longer, nor yet defiled with any trans- 
formed Saint-seeming Angels of light with their painted doc- 
trines. Thus did this poor people plead with the Lord, not 
only for themselves, but for their dearly beloved brethren in 
England, I [ay] and all that are Christs chosen people the 
world throughout; and although they were not unmindful 
from day to day of them, yet this year 1645. the Lord was 
pleased to stir up their affections in more then an ordinary 
manner. What success their prayers have had, let all (that 
love and long to behold the beauty of Christ shining on and 
in his beloved Bride) declare the loving kindness of the Lord 
toward his Churches, and let all the Churches of Christ, though 
never so remote the one from the other, yet joyned together in 
one faith and one Christ, be frequent in prayer one for another, 
congregate together at the Throne of the Lord, be present in 
spirit though absent in body; these New-England Churches 
are neer one hundred miles distant one from another, and yet 
communicate, counsel, care, love, joy, grieve with, and for 
one another, dismiss some, and commend others (as occasion 
serves) to the Christian care and watchfulness, from one Church 
to another, and why may not this be practiced the world 
throughout, even from Jerusalem, and round about to Illy- 
ricum? 



240 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1646 



Chap. III. 

Of the opposition the Government of the Mattachusets Colony met 
withal, by certain persons, under the name of Petitioners. 

In place of Governor was chosen for this year John Win- 
throp Esquire, and for Deputy Governor Thomas Dudly Es- 
quire, the number of freemen were about 72.^ At the Court 
of Election there was a Petition drawn, and presented to the 
Court by a Doctor of Physick, with seven hands to it, the 
persons were of a Linsiwolsie ^ disposition, some for Prelacy, 
some for Presbytery, and some for Plebsbytery, but all joyned 
together in the thing they would, which was to stir up the 
people to dislike of the present Government, one while envy- 
ing ^ against the constitution of the Government as not popu- 
lar enough, another while against the Laws or orders of this 
little Commonwealth as two [too] strict, and then to provoke, 
at least the penurious, they tell them of great expence of the 
publike Treasury, and intolerable taxations; the matter they 
petitioned for, was a bottom to build their quarrel upon, under 
the name of a Presbyterian Government, and this they sup- 
posed would suit well with their Bill of complaint, which they 
intended for England, not that they cared for a Presbyterian 
Church, for had they so done, they might have found out one 
in the country before they petitioned, but because they sup- 
posed that the Parliament in England would establish that 
way only, and therefore bore themselves bold upon it, that 
although their seditious and scandalous words and practices 
should incur a penalty (as none could deem any other, unless 

^ In fact, 31. 

" Linsey-woolsey. Dr. Robert Child, William Vassall, Samuel Maverick, 
and others petitioned the General Court that all members of the Church of Eng- 
land and of the Church of Scotland might be admitted to the communion of the 
New England churches, and that those debarred from the suffrage and from civil 
office because of not belonging to those churches (doubtless the greater number 
of the male inhabitants were so debarred) might be enfranchised; and they threat- 
ened an appeal to Parliament, then mostly Presbyterian in sentiment, if their 
demands were not granted. The incident raised grave questions as to the status 
of the colonial government, the charter, and the rights of Parliament. 

^ Inveighing. 



1646] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 241 

it be such as are all for liberty, and nothing for Government) 
yet they might bear men in hand, it was for petitioning for a 
Presbyterian Church-Government, according to this tenor; 
the Court being somewhat slow in censuring them, they pre- 
pared a plot, wrapping in some few persons more with them, 
laying very gross matters to the charge of this Government in 
their Bill of complaint, but being suspected by the honoured 
Magistrates of this Government, their plot was found out, 
and writing publikely read unto them, for all which they had 
a small penalty laid upon them,^ hardly countervail the charge 
they put the country unto; but assuredly it was the Lords 
gracious goodness to quell their malice against his people, 
and indeed the proud Bishops sped no better, or not so well, 
especially some of them, nor have any other hitherto prospered, 
who have maligned these poor Churches of Christ, yet because 
the Gortonist painted over a far worser cause, that those 
honorable personages in England who had the hearing thereof 
could not discern, the Government thought meet to send over 
this year the honored M. Winslow to manifest and declare the 
naked truth of things, having full power and commission from 
this Government to deal for them in all matters wherein they 
may be concerned ; and verily the chief Gortonian might have 
returned from England hither, to have triumphed in his blas- 
phemies over the Churches of Christ and all the united colonies, 
had not the divel shewed his horns in that book he printed, 
wherein he takes upon him a monstrous interpretation of the 
words of our Lord Christ in John, Except ye eat my flesh, and 
drink my hloud, etc. had the book been well perused before 
their coming over, surely they had never return'd with so 
large a commission as they boast of, for the Parliament have 
punished divers persons for their blasphemies, and very like 
these should not have scaped scotfree.^ 

'This is not ingenuous. First and last, the seven petitioners were fined 
nearly a thousand pounds sterling. 

' While Parliament's Commissioners for Plantations declined to disapprove 
the conduct of Massachusetts in the matter of the seven petitioners for enfran- 
chisement, in the matter of Gorton they enjoined that government not to molest 
him and his companions further, so long as they behaved themselves peaceably. 



242 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1646 



Chap. IV. 

Of the second Synod holden at Cambridg in N. E. and the images 
of the Son [Sun] that appeared. 

This year the General Court of the Mattachusets Govern- 
ment taking into consideration the many errors in point of 
doctrine that were daily broached by some of our English 
Nation, although the churches of Christ, and the people 
under this Government were free,^ at least in open profession; 
yet to declare to all the world, and render an accompt of their 
faith and profession wherein they walk, it was thought meet, 
that the churches of Christ should meet together in a Synod, 
by their Elders and Messengers, to hold forth the doctrine 
and discipline of Jesus Christ, according to the rule of the 
New Testament, with the grounds of Scripture from which 
they hold the same ; and further to make trial of them by the 
said rules and none other: accordingly at the time appointed 
they assembled together. Their disputation was plain and 
easie to be understood of the meanest capacity, clearing up 
those points that were most dubious.^ They having agreed 
on all matters, with a full concurrence of the assembly, did 
appoint them to be put in print, that they might be the better 
scanned and tried of every particular person in the several 
congregations or churches, many churches approving thereof 
for the generality, others there be that have not yet fully viewed 
the same; the books are extant,^ and shew that the churches 
of Christ in N. E. are not ashamed to make confession of their 
faith to all the world, and are yet ready to receive any further 
light shall be made known unto them from the Word of God, 
and none other, nor do they receive this because a Synod hath 
said it, but because the Lord hath spoken it by his Spirit, and 

* /. e., free from such doctrinal errors. 

*The point in which New England Congregationalism differed most from 
English Independency was in the use of occasional s}Taods and councils of churches 
as a means of securing coherence among the churches. 

* This is the document entitled A PJaijorvi of Church Discipline gathered out 
of the Word of God and agreed upon by the Elders and Messengers of the Churches 
assembled in the Synod at Cambridge in New England (Cambridge, 1649), com- 
monly called the "Cambridge Platform." 



1646] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 243 

witnessed by the same Spirit to their souls that he hath so 
done; some sorts of persons have been much opposite to this 
Synod, first those that are so inured with the broad beaten 
path of Hberty, that they fear to be confined in the straight 
and narrow path of truth; the second are such as have their 
wills wedded to some singular rare conceited opinion, for which 
they have been admired of many, and now they fear their 
gain will be gone, if this spirit be cast out; the third and last 
sort are more honest then the two former, and only scared with 
their big words, who tell them of the Popish and Prelatical 
Synods, what a deal of trash and cannon Laws they have 
brought in, and that if they will fall to receiving books once, 
they shall have more and more thrust upon them: As also if 
any shall say its only to declare the doctrine and discipline 
the churches of N. E. hold, its enough, quoth they, that our 
faith concerning these things is contained in the Bible, and 
this is all the accompt we need to give to any; but for all 
these scare-crows, N. E. hath through the blessing of the 
Lord received much peace and truth from the former Synod, 
we wish our countrymen and our selves may receive the like, 
and much more from this, which ended not with this year/ 

This year, about the latter end thereof, appeared two 
Parelii, or images of the Sun, and some other strange appari- 
tions of light about her, like a Rainbow, with the heels upward, 
which unwonted sights have been interpreted by the provi- 
dent passages since shewed, among those who have had an 
outside of profession and name, to be singular for under- 
standing the mind of God, who would overthrow all the 
Ordinances of Christ, under the name of New-light, and that 
there can be no restoration of Religion, till new Apostles 
come: This desperate opinion doth so fitly resemble these 
wonderful apparitions, that seemed to be another Sun, yet 
indeed had no light in them, but vanished away no man knew 
how; so these opinionists would make men believe they had 
found out another Sea from their phantastical revelations. 

> The synod sat in 1646, 1647, and 1648. 



244 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1646 



Chap. V. 

Of the great pains and care taken by those in Authority, for the 
compiling of Lawes for this little Commonwealth. 

This year ^ the General Court appointed a Committee of 
divers persons to draw up a Body of Laws for the well-order- 
ing of this little Commonwealth; and to the end that they 
might be most agreeable with the rule of Scripture, in every 
County there was appointed two Magistrates, two Ministers, 
and two able persons from among the people, who having pro- 
vided such a competent number as was meet, together with 
the former that were enacted newly amended, they presented 
them to the General Court, where they were again perused 
and amended; and then another Committee chosen to bring 
them into form, and present them to the Court again, who 
the year following passed an Act of confirmation upon them, 
and so committed them to the Press, and in the year 1648. 
they were printed, and now are to be seen of all men,^ to the 
end that none may plead ignorance, and that all who intend 
to transport themselves hither, may know this is no place of 
licentious liberty, nor will this people suffer any to trample 
down this Vineyard of the Lord, but with diligent execution 
will cut off from the city of the Lord the wicked doers, and if 
any man can shew wherein any of them derogate from the Word 
of God, very willingly will they accept thereof, and amend 
their imperfections (the Lord assisting); but let not any ill- 
affected persons find fault with them, because they suit not 
with their own humour, or because they meddle with matters 
of Religion, for it is no wrong to any man, that a people who 
have spent their estates, many of them, and ventured their 
lives for to keep faith and a pure conscience, to use all means 

*The date in the margin is 1646. The first Massachusetts code, the "Body 
of Liberties," was passed in 1641. In response to a strong popular movement, 
a fuller code was prepared by four successive committees of the General Court in 
1646 and 1647, of two of which Captain Johnson was a member. 

* Of The Book of the General Lawes and Libertyes concerning the Inhabitants 
of the Massachuscts (Cambridge, 1648) six hundred copies were printed. Yet 
it was supposed till 1906 that not a single copy was extant. In that year a copy 
was found in England. It is now in a private library in New York. 



1647] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 245 

that the Word of God allows for maintenance and continuance 
of the same, especially they have taken up a desolate Wilder- 
ness to be their habitation, and not deluded any by keeping 
their profession in huggermug, but print and proclaim to all 
the way and course they intend, God willing, to walk in. If 
any will yet notwithstanding seek to justle them out of their 
own right, let them not wonder if they meet with all the oppo- 
sition a people put to their greatest straits can make; as in all 
their undertaking, their chiefest aim hath been to promote 
the Ordinances of Christ, so also in contriving their Laws, 
Liberties, and Priviledges, they have not been wanting, 
which hath caused many to maligne their civil Government, 
and more especially for punishing any by a Law, that walk 
contrary to the rule of the Gospel, which they profess, but to 
■ them it seems unreasonable, and savours too much of hypoc- 
risie, that any people should pray unto the Lord for the 
speedy accomplishment of his Word in the overthrow of 
Antichrist, and in the mean time become a Patron to sinful 
opinions and damnable errors that oppose the truths of 
Christ, admit it be but in the bare permission of them. 



Chap. VI. 

Of the Lords wonder-working Providence, in fitting this people 
with all kind of Manufactures, and the bringing of them 
into the order of a commonwealth. 

On the day of Election for Governor and Magistrates, 
(which are new chosen every year) the honored John Win- 
thrope Esquire was chosen Governor, and the like honored 
Thomas Dudly Esquire Deputy Governor, John Endicut 
Esquire was chosen Major-General, which is an Officer the 
Freemen make a yearly choice of, all other Military Officers 
stand for term of life, unless any be out for misdemeanour; 
the number of freemen added this year were about 85.' The 
Land affording very good iron stone, divers persons of good 
rank and quality in England were stirred up by the provident 

1 In fact, 61. 



246 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1647 

hand of the Lord to venture their estates upon an iron work/ 
which they began at Braintree, and profited the owners httle, 
but rather wasted their stock, which caused some of them to 
sell away the remainder, the chief reason being the high price 
of labour, which ordinarily was as much more as in England, 
and in many things treble; the way of going on with such a 
work here, was not suddainly to be discerned, although the 
Steward had a very able eye, yet experience hath out-stript 
learning here, and the most quick-sighted in the Theory of 
things, have been forced to pay prety roundly to Lady Ex- 
perience for filling their heads with a little of her active after- 
wit; much hope there is now, that the owners may pick up 
their crums again, if they be but made partakers of the gain, 
in putting off England commodities at N. E. price, it will 
take off one third of the great price they gave for labour, and 
the price of their iron; it is supposed another third is taken 
of the abundance of wood had for little, will surely take off 
the residue, besides land at easie rates, and common land free 
for their use; it were to be desired that those Gentlemen who 
have undertaken the work, would consider the place where 
their works are, namely in N. E. where the Lord Christ hath 
chosen to plant his Churches in, to hide his people under the 
covert of his wings, till the tyranny of Antichrist be over- 
passed, and any that have disbursed pence for the furthering 
of his work, shall be repayed with thousands: Besides, the 
Gentlemen that govern this Colony are very desirous to be 
helpful in what they may, and had rather take any burthens 
upon themselves and the Inhabitants, that in justice they 
ought, then that those Gentlemen should be any wayes dam- 
nified. The Lord is pleased also to compleat this Common- 
wealth abundantly beyond all expectation in all sorts of need- 
ful occupations, it being for a long time the great fear of many, 
and those that were endued with grace from above also, that 
this would be no place of continued habitation, for want of a 
staple-commodity, but the Lord, whose promises are large to 
his Sion, hath blest his peoples provision, and satisfied her poor 
with bread, in a very little space, every thing in the country 

' A company formed by John Winthrop the younger and suppUed with 
English capital obtained from the colony large privileges, and began work success- 
fully at Lynn, and then at Braintree. But soon the business languished. 



1G47] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 247 

proved a staple-commodity, wheat, rye, oats, peas, barley, 
beef, pork, fish, butter, cheese, timber, mast, tar, sope, plank- 
board, frames of houses, clabboard, and pipestaves, iron and 
lead is like to be also ; and those who were formerly forced to 
fetch most of the bread they eat, and beer they drink, a hun- 
dred leagues by Sea, are through the blessing of the Lord so 
encreased, that they have not only fed their Elder Sisters, 
Virginia, Barbados, and many of the Summer Islands that were 
prefer'd before her for fruitfulness, but also the Grandmother 
of us all, even the firtil Isle of Great Britain, beside Portugal 
hath had many a mouthful of bread and fish from us, in ex- 
change of their Madeara liquor, and also Spain; nor could it 
be imagined, that this Wilderness should turn a mart for 
Merchants in so short a space, Holland, France, Spain, and 
Portugal coming hither for trade, shipping going on gallantly, 
till the Seas became so troublesome, and England restrain'd 
our trade, forbidding it with Barbados, etc/ and Portugal 
stopt and took our ships; many a fair ship had her framing 
and finishing here, besides lesser vessels, barques, and ketches, 
many a Master, beside common Seamen, had their first learn- 
ing in this Colony. Boston, Charles-Town, Salem, and Ips- 
witch, our Maritan ^ Towns began to encrease roundly, 
especially Boston, the which of a poor country village, in 
twice ^ seven years is become like unto a small City, and is in 
election to be Mayor Town suddainly,* chiefly increased by 
trade by Sea, yet of late the Lord hath given a check to our 
traffique, but the reason may be rendred hereafter; nor hath 
this Colony alone been actors in this trade of venturing by 
Sea, but New-haven also, who were many of them well ex- 
perienced in traffique, and had good estates to mannage it. 
Canectico did not linger behind, but put forth to Sea with the 
other; all other trades have here fallen into their ranks and 
places, to their great advantage; especially Coopers and Sho- 

^ An act of Parliament passed in October, 1650, prohibited trade with Bar- 
bados, Antigua, the Bermudas, and Virginia, because of their course in holding out 
for the royalist cause against the Parliament. 

"Maritime. ' Read "thrice." 

* This fixes the date of writing this part of the book. Boston petitioned the 
General Court in June, 1650, to be made a corporation; the petition was not 
granted, but avoided, at the session of May, 1651. 



248 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1647 

makers, who had either of them a Corporation granted/ in- 
riching themselves by their trades very much, Coopers having 
their plenty of stuff at a cheap rate, and by reason of trade 
with forraign parts abundance of work; as for Tanners and 
Shomakers, it being naturalized into these occupations, to 
have a higher reach in mannaging their manifactures, then 
other men in N. E. are, having not chang'd their nature in this, 
between them both they have kept men to their stander 
hitherto, almost doubling the price of their commodities, 
according to the rate they were sold for in England, and yet 
the plenty of Leather is beyond what they had their [there], 
counting the number of the people, but the transportation of 
Boots and Shoes into forraign parts hath vented all however: 
as for Tailors, they have not come behind the former, their 
advantage being in the nurture of new-fashions, all one with 
England; Carpenters, Joyners, Glaziers, Painters, follow 
their trades only; Gun-smiths, Lock-smiths, Black-smiths, 
Naylers, Cutlers, have left the husbandmen to follow the 
Plow and Cart, and they their trades; Weavers, Brewers, 
Bakers, Costermongers, Feltmakers, Braziers, Pewterers, and 
Tinkers, Ropemakers, Masons, Lime, Brick, and Tilemakers, 
Cardmakers to work, and not to play,^ Turners, Pumpmakers, 
and Wheelers, Glovers, Fellmungers,^ and Furriers, are or- 
derly turn'd to their trades, besides divers sorts of Shop- 
keepers, and some who have a mystery beyond others, as have 
the Vintners. 

Thus hath the Lord been pleased to turn one of the most 
hideous, boundless, and unknown Wildernesses in the world 
in an instant, as 'twere (in comparison of other work) to a 
well-ordered Commonwealth, and all to serve his Churches, 
of which the Author intends to speak of three more, which 
came to be gathered in the compass of these years. 

* The coopers and shoemakers of Boston were incorporated in October, 1648. 

* Makers of wool-cards, not playing-cards. 

* Dealers in peltries. 



1648] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 249 



Chap. VII. 

Of the three last Churches that were gathered in the compass of 
these years, namely Haverhil [Andover], Maiden, ami 
another Church gathered in the Town of Boston. 

This year 1648. John Winthrope Esquire was chosen 
Governor, and Thomas Dudly Esquire Deputy Governor, 
and John Endicut Esquire Major General, all three as they 
were the former year, the number of freemen added were 
about 94.^ About this time there was a Town founded about 
one or two mile distant from the place where the goodly 
river of Merrimeck receives her branches into her own body, 
hard upon the river of Shawshin, which is one of her three 
chief heads ; the honored Mr. Simon Broadstreet taking up his 
last setling there, hath been a great means to further the work, 
it being a place well fitted for the husbandmans hand, were 
it not that the remoteness of the place from Towns of trade, 
bringeth some inconveniencies upon the planters, who are in- 
forced to carry their corn far to market; this Town is called 
Andover, and hath good store of land improved for the big- 
ness of it, they soon gathered into a Church, having the 
reverend Mr. Whodbridg ^ to instruct them in the wayes of 
Christ, till he returned to England, and since have called to 
office the reverend Mr. Deynes, for whose further incourage- 
ment the promises of the Lord for protecting, providing, in- 
creasing, and continuing, even the very least of his Churches, 
going on according to his precepts, are abundantly manifested 
in his Word. 

Thou Sister young, Christ is to thee a wall 

Of flaming fire, to hurt thee none may come, 
In slipp'ry paths and dark wayes shall they fall, 

His Angels might shall chase their countless sum. 
Thy Shepheard with full cups and table spread, 

Before thy foes in Wilderness thee feeds, 
Increasing thy young lambs in bosom bred, 

Of Churches by his wonder-working deeds: 

» In fact, 32. 

* John Woodbridge, Dudley's son-in-law. His successor was Francis Dane. 



250 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1648 

To countless number must Christ's Churches reach, 
The day's at hand, both Jew and Gentile shall 

Come crowding in his Churches, Christ to preach, 
And last for aye, none can cause them to fall. 

About this time the Town of Maiden had his first founda- 
tion stones laid by certain persons, who issued out of Charles- 
Town, and indeed had her whole structure within the bounds 
of this more elder Town, being severed by the broad spread- 
ing river of Mistick the one from the other, whose troublesome 
passage caused the people on the North side of the river to 
plead for Town-priviledges within themselves, which accord- 
ingly was granted them; the soyl is very firtile, but they are 
much straitned in their bounds, yet their neerness to the chief 
Market Towns, makes it the more comfortable for habitation. 
The people gathered into a Church some distance of time 
before they could attain to any Church-Officer to administer 
the Seals unto them, yet in the mean time at their Sabbath 
assemblies they had a godly Christian named M. Sarjant, 
who did preach the Word unto them, and afterwards they 
were supplied at times with some young Students from the 
Colledg, till the year 1650. one Mr. Marmaduke Mathews,^ 
coming out of Plimouth Patten, was for some space of time 
with a people at the Town of Hull, which is a small Port-town 
peopled by fishermen, and lies at the entrance of the Bays 
mouth, where this Mr. Mathews continued preaching, till he 
lost the approbation of some able understanding men, among 
both Magistrates and Ministers, by weak and unsafe expres- 
sions in his teaching, yet notwithstanding he was called to the 
office of a Pastor by the brethren of this Church of Christ at 
Maiden, although some neighbour-churches were unsatisfied 
therewith, for it is the manner of all the Churches of Christ 
here hitherto, to have the approbation of their Sister-churches, 
and the civil Government also, in the proceedings of this 
nature, by the which means Communion of Churches is con- 

• Marmaduke Mathews was a Welshman, and a graduate of All Souls 
College, Oxford. He preached at Yarmouth, Hull, and Maiden. His call to 
Maiden without the approval of the neighboring churches was investigated by 
the General Court, through a committee of which Captain Johnson was a mem- 
ber; the Court fined the church £50 and Mathews £10. 



1G4.,J OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 251 

tinued, peace preserved, and the truths of Christ sincerely 
acknowledged, yet the Author will not miss to mind him in 
the following Meeter. 

Mathews! thou must build gold and silver on 

That precious stone, Christ cannot trash indure, 
Unstable straw and stubble must be gone, 

When Christ by fire doth purge his building pure. 
In seemly and in modest terms do thou 

Christs precious truths unto thy folk unfold, 
And mix not error with the truth, lest thou 

Soon leave out sense to make the truth to hold: 
Compleating of Christs Churches is at hand, 

Mathews stand up, and blow a certain sound, 
Warriours are wanting Babel to withstand, 

Christs truths maintain, 'twill bring thee honors crown'd. 

The last Church that compleated the number of 30. was 
gathered at Boston, by reason of the popularity thereof, 
being too many to meet in one assembly; the North-east part 
of the Town being separated from the other with a narrow 
stream cut through a neck of land by industry, whereby that 
part is become an Island, it was thought meet, that the people 
inhabiting the same should gather into a Church-body,^ and 
build a Meeting-house for their assembly, the which they have 
already done, but not as yet called any one to office; for since 
the people of Christ in some other places, both in England 
and elswhere, have through the goodness of God obtained 
like liberty with our selves, the Ministers of Christ have had 
their labours taken up in other places as well as here, which 
hath caused this Church as yet to be destitute. The begin- 
ning of this year was sad to the people of N. E. by reason of 
the death of their honoured Governour, John Winthrope 
Esquire,^ whose indefatigable paines in this Wilderness- work 

^ The Old North Church, afterward famous as the church of Increase, Cotton, 
and Samuel Mather, was organized in 1650. 

» Governor Winthrop died March 26, 1649. To have had as its chief magis- 
trate at the beginning that wise, unselfish, righteous, and noble statesman was to 
Massachusetts a good fortune comparable to that which the presence of Washing- 
ton brought to the early history of the United States. His Journal, or IIif<ior>j 
of New England, a record of incomparable value and merit, occupies two volumes 
in this series. 



252 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1649 

is not to be forgotten, nor indeed can it be; his Funeral was 
very sadly and solemnly performed, by a very great concourse 
of the greater part of this Colony, whose mournful looks and 
watry eyes did plainly demonstrate the tender affection and 
great esteem he was in with the people. 



Chap. VIII. 

Of the death of divers personages, who were in great esteem with 
the people of New-England, famous for their godliness, and 
eminent parts, both for Magistracy and Ministery, and of 
the correcting hand of the Lord upon his N. E. people. 

This year, after the death of this godly Governour, was 
chosen to succeed in the place Jo. Endicut Esq. and Tho. 
Dudly Esq. to be Deputy Governor, to the place of Major- 
General Edw. Gibbons; and seeing that the Lord is pleased 
to call this people to mourning, the Author will proceed to 
relate what further occasion this people have had to lament 
their miscarriages, that have caused the rod to be stretched 
out toward them, for of a truth they are no Antinomians.* 
The next loss was the death of that famous Preacher of the Lord 
M. Hooker, Pastor of the Church of Christ at Hartford, and 
M. Philips, Pastor of the Church of Christ at Watertown, and 
the holy heavenly, sweet-affecting, and soul-ravishing Minis- 
ter M. Tho. Shepheard, Pastor of the Church of Christ at Cam- 
bridg, whose departure was very heavily taken by all the 
people of Christ round about him.^ And now N. E. that had 
such heaps upon heaps of the riches of Christs tender com- 
passionate mercies, being turn'd off from his dandling knees, 
began to read their approaching rod in the bend of his brows 
and frowns of his former favourable countenance toward 
them; their plenty of all things, which shold have cheared 
their hearts, and quickned their spirits in elevating both soul 
and body to a thankful frame, through the work of his blessed 
Spirit; on the contrary, it brought a fulness on many, even 
to loath the very honey-comb, insomuch that good whole- 

^ I.e., do not profess to be exempt from the operation of the Law. 
» Hooker died in 1647, Phillips in 1644, Shepard in 1649. 



1649] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 253 

some truths would not down, yet had the Lord those that 
were precious unto him, who were not wanting to help one 
another out of this distemper, and with more warmer affec- 
tions exhort one another. Come let us go up unto the house of 
the Lord, and he will teach us his wayes. Also the Lord was 
pleased to awaken us with an Army of caterpillers, that had 
he not suddainly rebuked them, they had surely destroyed 
the husbandmans hope; where they fell upon trees, they left 
them like winter-wasting cold, bare and naked; and although 
they fell on fields very rarely, yet in some places they made 
as clear a riddance, as the harvest mans hand, and uncovered 
the gay green Medow ground, but indeed the Lord did by some 
plats shew us what he could have done with the whole, and 
in many places cast them into the high-wayes, that the Cart- 
wheels in their passage were painted green with running over 
the great swarms of them; in some fields they devoured the 
leaves of their pease, and left the straw with the full crop, so 
tender was the Lord in his correction; this minded all these 
Jacobites of the end of their coming over, but chiefly the hus- 
bandman, whose over eager pursuit of the fruits of the earth 
made some of them many times run out so far in this Wilder- 
ness, even out of the sweet sound of the silver Trumpets blown 
by the laborious Ministers of Christ, forsaking the assembly 
of the Lords people, to celebrate their Sabbaths in the chimney- 
corner, horse, kine, sheep, goats, and swine being their most 
indeared companions, to travel with them to the end of their 
pilgrimage, or otherwise to gather together some of their 
neerest neighbours, and make a preachment one unto another, 
till they had learn'd so much, that they could away with none 
other teaching. As also the Lord was pleased to command 
the wind and Seas to give us a jog on the elbow, by sinking 
the very chief of our shipping in the deep, and splitting them 
in shivers against the shores; a very goodly Ship called the 
Seaforce * was cast away, and many N. E. people put to hard 
shifts for their lives, and some drowned, as the godly and 
dearly beloved servant of Christ, Mr. Tho. Coitmire, a very 
able Seaman, and also a good Scholar, one who had spent 
both his labour and estate for the helping on of this Wilder- 

' Of the wreck of the Seafort on the coast of Spain, in 1645, there is a vivid 
account in Winthrop, II. 248, 249. 



254 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1650 

ness-work: as also another ship set forth by the Merchants 
of New-haven, of which the godly Mr. Lamberton went 
Master, neither ship, persons, nor goods ever heard of; ^ 
another ship also built and set forth by the inhabitants of 
Cambridg, split and cast away neer the same place where the 
Seaforce was lost; as also another Barque mostly set forth by 
Dorchester men, sunk in the Sea, and never heard of the 
manner how, with divers others which might be here inserted; 
this seemed the sorer affliction to these N. E. people, because 
many godly men lost their lives, and abundantly the more 
remarkable, because the Lord was pleased to forbid any such 
things to befal his people in their passage hither; herein these 
people read, as in great capital letters, their suddain forget- 
fulness of the Lords former received mercy in his wonderful 
preservation, bringing over so many scores of ships, and 
thousands of persons, without miscarriage of any, to the 
wonderment of the whole world that shall hear of it, but more 
especially were the Merchants and traders themselves sensible 
of the hand of the Lord out against them, who were in some 
of the ships, and had their lives given them for a prey; as 
also Vintners, and other men of trade, whose gain is increased 
by Merchants men, being so taken up with the income of a 
large profit, that they would willingly have had the Common- 
wealth tolerate divers kinds of sinful opinions to intice men to 
come and sit down with us, that their purses might be filled 
with coyn, the civil Government with contention, and the 
Churches of our Lord Christ with errors ; the Lord was pleased 
after all this, to let in the King of Terror among his new- 
planted Churches. 

For this year 1650. Tho. Dudly Esquire was chosen Gov- 
ernor, and John Endicut Esquire Deputy Governor, Major- 
General Edward Gibbons, continued in his office still; the 
number of freemen added were about 55.^ This year was the 
first noted year wherein any store of people died, the ayr and 
place being very healthy naturally, made this correction of 
the Lord seem the greater, for the most that died were chil- 
dren, and that of an unwonted disease here, though frequent 

•See p. 178. * In fact, 31. 



1651] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 255 

in other places, the Lord now smiting many families with 
death in them, although there were not any families wherein 
more then one died, or very rare if it were otherwise, yet were 
these pilgrim people minded of the suddain forgetfulness of 
those worthies that died not long before, but more especially 
the little regard had to provide means to train their children 
up in the knowledg of learning, and improve such means as 
the Lord hath appointed to leave their posterity an able 
Minister; as also to stir them up to prepare for the great work 
of the Lord Jesus in the overthrow of Antichrist, and calling 
of the Jews, which in all likelyhood is very suddainly to be 
performed; as also in stirring up all the young ones that re- 
main, to consider for what end the Lord hath spared their 
lives, when he cut off others by death, namely, to prosecute 
the work that he hath given them to do in the power of his 
might, with the greater zeal and courage. 

[165L] This year the honored and much desired servant 
of Christ, John Endicut Esquire was chosen to be Governour 
of the English, inhabiting the Colony of the Mattachusets, 
aAti the antient honored and long continued Champion for the 
truth, as it is in Jesus, Tho. Dudly Esquire was chosen Deputy 
Governour, by the major Vote of these wandering Jacobites, 
with heart and good will the honored Major-General Edward 
Gibbons continued in place this year. The Government 
shewed their desire to be assisting to the State of England, in 
making orders for establishing their Edict for these Western 
parts of the world among our N. E. people; the Lord in his 
infinite wisdom saw meet to continue his correcting hand 
among his N. E. Churches, somewhat more then ordinary in 
a sore disease, of which many [died] (in comparison of what 
used to do) and yet not so many as ordinarily use to do in 
other plantations of this Western world; and whereas the 
former year young children died most, this year those of 
grown years died also, and although eo small a sickness might 
not be taken notice of in other places, yet the rareness of it 
in so healthy a country as is this, cannot but speak loud in the 
ears of God's people, who desire to hear the rod, and who 
hath appointed it, and perceive plainly many of them, that 
the Lord will have us to know, that if his own people tread in 



256 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [166I 

the same steps of riot and excess in the plenty he hath given 
them, with the men of this world, he will lay the same sicknesses 
and diseases upon them ; and further they perceive, according 
to the ordinary dispensation of his providences toward them, 
he hath some further great work to do with his N. E. people, 
that he is beginning again to awaken, rouze up, and quicken 
them with the rod of his power : For thus they begin to reason 
with themselves, when the Lord was pleased to expose them, 
their wifes, and little ones to the troubles of a tempestuous Sea 
in so long a voyage, and the wants of a barren Wilderness in 
great penury of food, he brought forth by his mighty power, 
and stretched-out arm, the glorious fabrick of his New-E. 
Churches ; and therefore now again they look for some farther 
extraordinary great work of his, if he shall once again be 
pleased to refine them in this furnace of his, and would the 
Lord Christ would confirm our brethren in England in like 
faith by our example, yea, and far beyond many degrees, as 
the Wonder-working providence of Sions Saviour toward 
them hath more abundantly exceeded, and that as this in 
three seven years is comprised, though very weakly, in this 
little book, there's in one seven year would require volumes, 
and as this is wonderful, there is almost miraculous, and 
wonderful to the whole world, as if the Lord Christ did intend 
to make his power known more abundantly then ever the sons 
of men saw Kings and Kingdoms strengthened, with affinity 
and consanguinity, the valiant of the world, men skil'd in 
feats of war, as Goliah from a child, fierce and pampered 
horses, whose necks are covered with strong neighing, and 
cunning Engenires, men skilful to destroy with all the terrible 
engins of war, together with swarms of souldiers flocking to- 
gether to swallow up the poor remnant of Gods people; all 
these hath the Lord caused to fall before your eyes, and our 
ears have heard the noyse of this great fall; and beloved 
countrymen, and our dear brethren in Christ, step into the 
closet of your own hearts with us, and see if there will not be 
some things in this following verse that may suit your condi- 
tion as well as ours, that having sown in tears, we may reap 
with joy the glorious harvest of our Lord Christ, which is hard 
at hand, for assuredly the Lord is tyed neither to us, nor you, 
but may, if it please him, cast off both, and raise up new in- 



1G51] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 257 

struments for his following work, but if he be pleased to give 
us melting hearts for our former miscarriages, and renew us 
with a more zealous courage and earnest contending for the 
faith, it is very like he hath more glorious works by far for us 
yet to do. 

Chap. IX. 

Of the wonder-working providences of Christ, wrrought for his 
people among our English Nation, both in our Native 
country, and also in N. E. which should stir us up to mourn 
for all our miscarriages much the more. 

From silent night, true Register of moans, 
From saddest soul consum'd in deepest sin, 

[ A ] From heart quite rent with sighs and heavy groans, 
My wailing muse her woful work begins. 

And to the world brings tunes of sad lament. 

Sounding nought els but sorrows sad relent. 

Sorry to see my sorrows cause augmented. 
And yet less sorrowful were my sorrows more, 

\_A'\ Grief that with grief, is not with grief prevented, 
Yet grief it is must ease my grieved sore; 

So grief and sorrow, care but how to grieve. 

For grief and sorrow must my cares relieve. 

The wound fresh bleeding must be stanch'd with tears. 
Tears cannot come unless some grief proceed, 

[ A ] Grief comes but slack, which doth increase my fears. 
Fear, lest for want of help I sdll shall bleed; 

Do what I can to lengthen my lifes breath. 

If Christ be wanting, I shall bleed to death. 

Thou deepest searcher of each secret thought. 

Infuse in me thy all-affecting grace, 
[ ^ ] So shall my work to good effect be brought, 

While I peruse my ugly sins a space, 
WTiose staining filth so spotted hath my soul. 
That nought can wash, but tears of inward dole. 

A The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in planting his 
N. E. Churches, aiui with tlie ri-ht h:ind of his power preserving, protecting. 



258 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1651 

favouring, and feeding them upon his tender knees: Together with the ill re- 
quital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us, hath caused 
many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name, and fear of his casting 
of this little handful of his, and the insulting of the enemy, whose sorrow is set 
forth in these four first staffs of verses.' 

How soon, my soul, hast thou the Lord forgot, 

[ B ] Who thee and thine through troublous Seas hath lead, 

On earth thy parts should praise him, suddain rot,* 
Wliy dost neglect his glorious Kingdom spread. 

Thy eyes have seen the Mountains mov'd with's hand, 

And sunk in Seas to make his Sion stand. 

No wonder then thy works with Eastern wind 

[B] On Seas are broke, and thy best Seamen slain, 

Sith thou thy gain, and not Christs work dost mind. 
Lord stay thy hand, I see my works are vain. 

Our ships they shall thy Gospel forth convey. 

And not bring home strange errors here to stay. 

Instead of home-oppression, they shall now 
Thy Saints abroad relieve, by Sea them send; 

No riot shall our Merchantmen allow. 

Time in exchange- walks, not in Taverns spend; 

Godly grief and good purpose comes from thee, 

Lord Christ command, and then to work go we. 

B The Rod of God toward us in our Maritine affairs manifested, not only 
to our own shipping, but strangers; as the Mary Rose blown up in Charles River, 
and sunk in a moment, with about thirteen men slain therein: As also one Capt. 
Chadwicks Pinnace, and about four men slain therein; ^ beside what hath been 
formerly said touching our own shipping. 

O thou my soul how weak's thy faith become. 
With scatter'd seed of man and beast, thou hast 

Seen thy great God increase thy little sum, 

C Towns close compact in desart land hath plac't: 

In Wilderness thy table richly spread, 

Thy poor therein hath satisfi'd with bread. 

•These notes A, B, C, D, E, and the letters in square brackets referring 
to them, occur thus in the original. 

*Thy parts which should praise him suddenly rot. 
» See Winthrop, II. 9, 153. 



1651] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 259 

While firtil lands with hunger have been pined, 
C Thy harvest hath with heaps on heaps come in; 

Oh mourn, that thou no more thy God should'st mind, 
His gentle rod to teach thee doth begin; 

Then wonder not that swarms of Locust fly, 

And that earths fruits for want of moysture die. 

A countless crew of Caterpillers craul, 

To rob the earth of her green m.antle quite; 

Wolves, only wont on lesser beasts to fall, 

C On great ones prey by day, and eke by night: 

Thy houses are consum'd with much good store, 

By fearful fires, which blustering winds blow o're. 

Lord stay thy hand, and stop my earthly mind. 
Thy Word, not world, shall be our sole delight, 

C Not Medow ground, but Christs rich pearl wee'l find, 
Thy Saints imbrace, and not large lands down plight. 

Murmure no more will we at yearly pay, 

To help uphold our Government each way; 

Not strive who least, but who the most shall give, 

Rejoyce will we, our hearts inlarged are, 
C Those wait on th' Altar, shall on Altar live, 

Nor shall our riches their good doctrine mar; 
Our pride of parts in thought of clear discerning. 
No longer shall disgrace their godly learning. 

Our meaner sort that metamorphos'd are, 

With womens hair, in gold and garments gay, 

C Whose wages large our Commonwealths work mar. 
Their pride they shall with moderation lay: 

Cast off their cloaths, that men may know their rank, 

And women that with outward deckings prank. 

C Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs, as is heretofore expressed; 
and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire, and chiefly by a 
most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town, in the depth of Winter, 
1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to another, to the consuming of 
the fairest houses in the Town. Under the pretence of being unequally rated, 
many men murmure exceedingly, and withdraw their shoulders from the support 
of Government, to the great discouragement of those that govern, 1651. Pride 
and excess in apparrel is frequent in these daies, when the Lord calls his people 



260 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1651 

to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances; and that 
which is far worse, spiritual pride, to shew our selves to be somebody, often 
step out of our ranks, and delight in new fangled doctrines. 

The worlds imbrace, our longing lust for gain, 
D No longer shall us into corners draw, 

Nor our large herds us from Gods house detain 
From fellowship of Saints, who learn thy Law: 

Thy righteous Judgments Lord do make me tremble, 

Nor word, nor rod, but deep in this dissemble. 

Two Masters, Lord, we will professed serve; 

How can we, Christ, united be to thee, 
D When from thy Law learn'd we so greatly swarve, 

With watry tears unclued' we will be. 
From creature-comforts, Christ thou art our stay, 
Work will and deed in us we humbly pray. 

D An over-eager desire after the world hath so seized on the spirits of 
many, that the chief end of our coming hither is forgotten; and notwithstanding 
all the powerful means used, we stand at a stay, as if the Lord had no farther 
work for his people to do, but every bird to feather his own nest. 

Oh thou, my soul, and every part in me 

Lament, the Lord his worthies from the earth 

Takes to himself, and makes our earth to be 
E A mourning place left destitute of mirth; 

Are these the daies wherein that Beast shall fall ? 

Lord leave us means, though thou be all in all. 

WHiat courage was in Winthrope, it was thine; 

Shepheards sweet Sermons from thy blessing came, 
[E] Our heavenly Hooker thy grace did refine, 

And godly Burr receiv'd from thee his frame: 
Philips didst thou indue with Scripture light, 
And Huet had his arguings strong and right. 

Grave Higginson his heavenly truths from thee, 
[ E ] Maveruck was made an able help to thine; 

WTiat Herver had thou^ gavest, for's people free; 

Follow Green full of grace, to work thou didst assign: 

Godly Glover his rich gifts thou gavest, 

Thus thou by means thy flocks from spoiling savest. 

* Undone. * Harvard. 



I 



1651] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 261 

But Lord, why dost by death withdraw thy hand 
From us, these men and means are sever'd quite; 

Stretch forth thy might. Lord Christ do thou command, 
Their doubled spirit on those left to light: 

Forth of their graves call ten times ten again, 

That thy dear flocks no damage may sustain. 

Can I forget these means that thou hast used. 
To quicken up my drowsie drooping soul ? 

Lord I forget, and have the same abused. 

Which makes me now with grief their deaths condole. 

And kiss thy rod, laid on with bowels tender. 

By death of mine, makes me their death remember 

Lord, stay thy hand, thy Jacobs number's small, 

Powre out thy wrath on Antichrists proud Thrones; 

Here [hear] thy poor flocks that on thee daily call. 
Bottle their tears, and pity their sad groans. 

WThiere shall we go, Lord Christ? we turn to thee. 

Heal our back-slid ings, forward press shall we. 

Not we, but all thy Saints the world throughout 
Shall on thee wait, thy wonders to behold; 

Thou King of Saints, the Lord in battel stout 
Increase thy armies many thousand fold. 

Oh Nations all, his anger seek to stay, 

That doth create him armies every day. 

E The Lords taking away by death many of his most eminent servants 
from us, shewes, that either the Lord will raise up another people to himself to 
do his work, or raise us up by his Rod to a more eager pursuit of his work, even 
the planting of his Churches the world throughout. The Lord converts and calls 
forth of their graves men to fight his battels against the enemies of his truth. 



Chap. X. 

Of the endeavours of this people of Christ, to inlarge his King- 
dom the world throughout, and first of their preaching 
Christ to the Indians, among whom they live. 

These brood of Travellers having thus through the good 
hand of their God upon them, thus setled these Churches, 
according to the institution of Christ, and not by the will of 



262 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1651 

man; they now endeavour to be assisting to others. The 
reverend Mr. Hugh Peters, and his fellow-helper in Christ 
Mr. Wells ^ steered their course for England, so soon as they 
heard of the chaining up of those biting beasts, who went under 
the name of spiritual Lords ; what assistance the Gospel of Christ 
found there by their preaching, is since clearly manifested; 
for the Lord Christ having removed that usurping power of 
Lordly Prelates, hath now inlarged his Kingdom there, and 
that not onely by the means of these men, but by divers others, 
both godly and eminent servants of his, who never saw New- 
England; and by divers other godly Ministers of Christ, who 
have since gone from hence, both young Students and others, 
to the number of twenty, or thereabout, in the whole; besides 
some who were eminent in the civil Government here, both 
gracious and godly servants of Christ, and some who have 
been Magistrates here, to the number of five or six. The Lord 
Christ grant they may all endeavour the advancement of his 
truths, both in Churches and civil Government. But before 
the Author cease to speak of England, he is bold to say, that 
the Lord Christ will overturn, overturn, overturn, till he hath 
caused such a Government to be set up, as shall become nurs- 
ing fathers to his new-planted Churches. 

The Indian people in these parts at the English first com- 
ing, were very barbarous and uncivilized, going for the most 
part naked, although the country be extreme cold in the 
winter-season: they are onely clothed with a Deers skin, 
and a little bit of cloth to cover their privy part. The Women 
for the most part are very modest, although they go as naked 
as the Men : they are generally very laborious at their planting 
time, and the Men extraordinary idle, making their squawes 
to carry their Children and the luggage beside; so that many 
times they travell eight or ten mile with a burden on their 
backs, more fitter for a horse to carry then a woman. The 
men follow no kind of labour but hunting, fishing and fowling, 
in all which they make use of their Bowe and Arrowes to shoot 
the wilde creatures of the Trees, as Squirrells, gray and black 
Rockoones: as for Deer, they ordinarily catch them in traps, 
with a pole bent down, and a Cord at the end, which flyes up 

' Weld. 



1651] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 263 

and stayes their hasty course. Bever, Otter, and Moose they 
catch with Traps also; they are very good marks-men, with 
their Bowe and Arrows. Their Boyes will ordinarily shoot 
fish with their Arrowes as they swim in the shallow Rivers, 
they draw the Arrow halfe way, putting the point of it into the 
water, they let flye and strike the fish through; the like they 
do to Birds lesser and great: onely the Geese and Turkies 
being strong of wing, sometimes flee away with their Arrowes 
sticking in them; this is all the trade they use, which makes 
them desititute of many necessaries, both in meat, drink, 
apparell and houses. 

As for any religious observation, they were the most desti- 
tute of any people yet heard of, the Divel having them in very 
great subjection, not using craft to delude them, as he ordi- 
narily doth in most parts of the World: but kept them in a 
continuall slavish fear of him; onely the Powawes, who are 
more conversant with him then any other, sometimes recover 
their sicke folk with charmes, which they use, by the help of 
the Divell; and this makes them to adore such; one of them 
was seen, as is reported, to cure a Squaw that was dangerously 
sick, by taking a snakes skin and winding it about her arm, 
the which soon became a living snake crawling round about 
her armes and body; another caused the sick patient, for heal- 
ing, to pass bare footed through many burning coals; those 
that cannot cure them they call Squantams powwons: but if 
the patient live, he is had in great admiration, and then they 
cry. Much winnit Ahbamocho, that is, very good Divell: for 
Squantam is a bad Divel, and Abbamocho is their good Divell. 
It hath been a thing very frequent before the English came, 
for the Divell to appear unto them in a bodily shape, some- 
times very ugly and terrible, and sometimes like a white boy, 
and chiefly in the most hideous woods and swamps: they 
report that sometimes he hath come into their wigwams, and 
carryed away divers of them alive: and since we came liither, 
they tell us of a very terrible beast for shape and bigness, 
that came into a wigwam toward the North-east parts, remote 
from any English plantations, and took away six men at a 
time, who were never seen afterward. The English at their 
first coming did assay and endeavour to bring them to the 
knowledge of God: and in particular the reverend, grave, and 



264 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1651 

godly Mr. John Wilson, who visited their sick, and instructed 
others as they were capable to understand him. But yet very 
little was done that way, till in process of time they by con- 
tinuall coming to the English, became better able to under- 
stand them; and now of late yeers the reverend Mr. Eliot ^ 
hath been more then ordinary laborious to study their lan- 
guage, instructing them in their own Wigwams, and Catechis- 
ing their Children. As also the reverend Mr. Mayhewe one 
who was tutored up in N. Eng. and called to office by the 
Church of Christ, gathered at a small Island called Martins 
Vineyard: ^ this man hath taken good pains with them: but 
the particulars of our godly Ministers labours, together with 
the good hand of our God upon their indeavours, being already 
published,^ no further need be spoken. 

* John Eliot the apostle, whose preaching to the Indians appears to have 
begun in 1646. The margin adds: "Also Mr. William Leveriry [Leveridgej 
Pastor of Sandwich Church, is very serious therein, and with good success." 

* Thomas Mayhew, the minister's father, had in 1641 bought Martha's 
Vineyard from the representative of Lord Stirling. Soon afterward he and his 
son. Rev. Thomas Mayhew, went there to live, and the latter began preaching to 
the numerous Indians of the island. In a letter of October, 1651, about the time 
when Johnson was writing, the son reports, "Through the mercy of God, there 
are an hundred ninety-nine men, women and children that have professed them-r 
selves to be worshippers of the great and ever-living God." He died in 1657, 
but his work was continued by his aged father, the proprietor, governor, and 
patriarch of the island. 

' Of the early Massachusetts tracts relating to the conversion of the In* 
dians, tracts which are now famous rarities, those which would have been known 
to Johnson at this time were New Englands First-Fruits (London, 1643), The 
Day-Breaking if not the Sun^-Rising of the Gospell with the Indians in New Eng- 
land (1647), The Clear Sunshine of the Gospell breaking forth upon the Indians 
of New England (1648), and The Glorious Progress of the Gospell amongst the In- 
dians in New-England (1649). The interest aroused in England by these pub* 
lications led Parliament in 1649, through the efforts of Edward Winslow, then in 
London, to incorporate the Society for Propagating the Gospel in New England. 



1642-1643] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 265 



Chap. XI. 

Of the gratious goodness of the Lord Christ, in planting his 
Gospel in the purity of it, in Virginia: and of the first 
Church gathered there according to the rule of the Gospel. 

About the yeer 1642 the Lord was pleased to put it into the 
heart of some godly people in Virginia, to send to N. E. for 
some of the Ministers of Christ, to be helpfull unto them in 
instructing them in the truth, as it is in Jesus. The godly 
Mr. Philip Bennit coming hither, made our reverend Elders 
acquainted with their desires, who were very studious to take 
all opportunities for inlarging the kingdome of Christ: and 
upon serious consideration, the reverend Mr. Knowls of Water- 
towne, and Mr. Tompson of Braintree were sent unto them, 
who arriving there in safety, preached openly unto the people 
for some good space of time, and also from house to house ex- 
horted the people dayly, that with full purpose of heart they 
would cleave unto the Lord; the harvest they had was plenti- 
full for the little space of time they were there, till being op- 
posed by the Governour and some other malignant spirits, 
they were forced to returne to N. E. again.^ It were much to 
be desired, that all people would take notice of the hand of 
God against this people, after the rejection of these Ministers of 
Christ : and indeed it was none other but the thrusting Christ 
from them; and now attend to the following story, all you 
Cavaliers and malignant party the world throughout, take 
notice of the wonderworking providence of Christ toward his 
Churches, and punishing hand of his toward the contemners 
of his Gospel. Behold ye dispisers, and wonder. Oh poor 
Virginia, dost thou send away the Ministers of Christ with 
threatning speeches? No sooner is this done, but the bar- 
barous, inhumane, insolent, and bloody Indians are let loose 
upon them, who contrive the cutting them off by whole 
Families, closely carying their wicked counsells till they had 

' An act of the Virginia assembly of March, 1643, forbade non-conformists 
to teach or preach publicly or privately in that colony, and required the governor. 
Sir William Berkeley, to compel all non-conformists to depart. The massacre 
mentioned below was that of April, 1644. 



266 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1644 

effected their desires, their bloody designe taking place for 
the space of 200 miles up the River: the manner of the Eng- 
Hsh Plantations there being very scattering, quite contrary 
to N. E. people, who for the most part desire society. The 
manner of the Indians proceeding was thus, they divided 
themselves into severall companies, and beset the English 
houses a little before break of day, waiting for the first person 
that should open the doore and come forth, whom they cruelly 
murdered, beating out their brains, and then forthwith 
entred the house and slew all they found within, sometimes 
firing the houses, and leaving the living children miserably 
to be consumed with their dead Parents in the fearfull flames; 
some people fleeing from this barbarous massacre, as they passed 
by a fired house, heard a pitifull out-cry of a poor Child, cry- 
ing, I burn, I burn : although they could willingly have made 
haste away, yet the miserable out-cry of this poor babe, 
caused them to hast to the house, and rescue it forth the flames, 
that was even almost ready to scorch it. This cruell and 
bloody work of theirs put period to the lives of five or six 
hundred of these people, who had not long before a plentifull 
proffer of the mercies of Christ in the glad tidings of peace 
published by the mouth of his Ministers, who came unto them 
for that end: but chusing rather the fellowship of their drunken 
companions, and a Preist of their own profession, who could 
hardly continue so long sober as till he could read them the 
reliques of mans invention in a common prayer book; but 
assuredly had not the Lord pittied the little number of his 
people among this crooked generation, they had been consumed 
at once, for this is further remarkable in this massacre, when 
it came toward the place where Christ had placed his little 
flock,^ it was discovered and prevented from further proceed- 
ing, and the Lord by this means did so allay their spirits of 
malignity toward his people, they gathered in a Church in 
presence of the very governour himself, and called to office one 
Mr. Harrison, who could not long continue among them, by 
reason of their fresh renewed malignity, who had formerly an 
evill eye toward them, and could no better refraine from op- 
pressing them, then Pharoah after he had rest from the 

* Mostly in Upper Norfolk or Nansemond County. 



1644] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 267 

plagues under which he was. After the departure of Mr. 
Harrison, one Mr. Duren became an help unto them; but he 
and his people also were forced to remove many hundred 
miles up into the country/ where they now remain; but as- 
suredly the Lord hath more scourges in store, for such as 
force the people to such sufferings; and therefore let this 
Church of Christ continue in the way of his truth according 
to the rules of his Gospel, and without doubt the Lord will 
preserve and continue them, let the adversaries of his Truth 
be never so potent. As also about this time, the Lord was 
pleased to gather a people together in the Isle of Bermoodas, 
whose hearts being guided by the rule of the word, they 
gathered into a Church of Christ according to the rules of the 
Gospel, being provided with able persons, indued with gifts 
from the Lord to administer unto them the holy things of 
God ; ^ and after they began to be opposed, their reverend 
elder Mr. Goulding came into these parts, and from hence he 
went to England: but this little flock of Christ not long after 
being banished from thence, went to one of the Southern 
Islands, where they endured much hardship; and which the 
Churches of Christ in these parts understanding, about six or 
eight of them contributing toward their want, gathered about 
800 L to supply their necessity: the which they shipped in a 
small vessel! hired for that end, and sent by the hands of two 
brethren both corne and other necessaries: they arriving in 
safety by the blessing of God upon their labours, were well 
welcomed by their brethren, who abundantly blessed the 
Lord for them, and with godly and gratious expression 
returned a thankfull acknowledgement of the present good 
hand of the Lord Christ, in providing for them: so that as 
this book began with the wonderworking providence of Sions 
Saviour, in providing so wonderfull gratiously for his Churches 
the World throughout; so it here endeth with the same; and 

* Of all this episode of Puritanism in Virginia a clearer account may be seen 
in Winthrop, II. 73, 94-95, 351-353. It appears that Elder William Durand 
was banished before Thomas Harrison. The latter finally retired to Ireland, 
after a sojourn in Massachusetts. By removal " many miles up into the coun- 
try" the Puritan immigration into Maryland is probably intended. 

''A marginal note gives their names, "Mr. Nathaniel White, Mr. Patrick 
Copeland, Mr. William Golding." 



268 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1651 

it were to be desired, that the Churches of Christ in Europe 
would gather up the wonderfull providences of the Lord 
toward them also, and more especially those in our native 
Country: for assuredly it would make much for the magni- 
fying of his glorious works in this day of his power: and al- 
though the malignant and antichristian party may say, they 
can shew the like wonders (as Jannes and Jambres that with- 
stood Moses) ^ yet were the worke of Christ for his poor 
Churches, within these few yeers, gathered together by some 
able instrument whom the Lord might be pleased to stir up 
for that end, and laid open the view of all, they would be 
forced to confess, this is the very finger of God, and no doubt 
but they would be a great strengthening to the faith of those, 
who are appointed of the Lord, for the overthrow of Antichrist 
(the Lord helping) for assuredly, the time of his having mercy 
upon Sion is come. 

Chap. XII. 

Of the time of the fall of Antichrist, and the increase of the Gen- 
tile Churches, even to the "provoking of the twelve Tribes to 
submit to the kingdom of Christ. 

It hath been the longing expectation of many, to see that 
notable and wonderfull worke of the Lord Christ, in casting 
down that man of sin who hath held the whole world (of 
those that profess any Christ) under his Lordly power, while 
the true professors of Christ have hardly had any appearance 
to the eye of the world; first, take notice the Lord hath an 
assured set time for the accomplishment of this work, which 
is set down in his word,^ although more darkly to be under- 
stood; wherefore the reverend Ministers of Christ, for these 
many yeers have studied and laboured for the finding it out, 
and that holy man of God Mr. John Cotton, among many 
other, hath diligently searched for the Lords mind herein, 
and hath declared some sudden blow to be given to this 
blood-thirsty monster: but the Lord Christ hath unseparably 
joyned the time, meanes, and manner of this work together, 

' II Timothy iii. 8. 

• The margin gives the reference, Revelation xvii. 14. 



1651] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 269 

and therefore all men that expect the day, must attend the 
means : for such hath been and is the absurdity of many, that 
they make semblance of a very zealous affection to see the 
glorious work of our Lord Christ herein, and yet themselves 
uphold, or at least side with those that uphold some part of 
Antichrists kingdome: and therefore the lordly Prelacy may 
pray for his fall till their lungs are spent, and their throats 
grow dry. But while they have a seeming shew (and hardly 
that) to oppose his doctrines, they themselves in the mean 
time, make use of his power to advance themselves to honour: 
as also in these dayes there are divers desperate, blasphemous, 
and erronious persons whose consciences and their own self- 
will are unseparable companions; these are very hot in their 
own apprehensions to prosecute the work; but in the mean 
time, they not only batter down the truths of Christ, and his 
own Ordinances and Institutions, but also set up that part of 
Antichrists kingdom, which hath formerly had a great blow 
already, even his deceiveable and damnable doctrines: for as 
one badg of the beast is to be full of blasphemies, so are they, 
and these take unto themselves seven spirits worse then the 
former, making the latter end worse then the beginning, as 
this story may testifie : and some stories in our native country 
much more. But to come to the time of Antichrists fall; and 
all that expect it may depend upon the certainty of it: yea it 
may be boldly said that the time is come, and all may see the 
dawning of the day: you that long so much for it, come forth 
and fight: who can expect a victory without a battel? the 
lordly Prelates that boasted so much of these great atcheive- 
ments in this work, are fled into holes and corners: Familists, 
SeekerSj Antinomians and Anabaptists, they are so ill armed, 
that they think it best sleeping in a whole skin, fearing that if 
the day of battell once go on, they shall fall among Antichrists 
Armies : and therefore cry out hke cowards. If you will let me 
alone, and I will let you alone ; but assuredly the Lord Christ 
hath said. He that is not with us, is against us: there is no 
room in his Army for toleratorists. But some will say. We 
will never believe the day is come, till our eyes behold Babylon 
begirt with Souldiers. I pray be not too hasty; hath not the 
Lord said. Come out of her my people? etc., surely there is a 
httle space left for this, and now is the time, seeing the Lord 



270 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1651 

hath set up his standerd of resort : now, Come forth of her, 
and be not partakers of her sins: now is the time, when the 
Lord hath assembled his Saints together; now the Lord will 
come and not tarry. As it was necessary that there should 
be a Moses and Aaron, before the Lord would deliver his 
people and destroy Pharaoh lest they should be wildred 
indeed in the Wilderness; so now it was needfull, that the 
Churches of Christ should first obtain their purity, and the 
civill government its power to defend them, before Antichrist 
come to his finall ruine : and because you shall be sure the day 
is come indeed, behold the Lord Christ marshalling of his in- 
vincible Army to the battell: some suppose this onely to be 
mysticall, and not literall at all: assuredly the spirituall fight 
is chiefly to be attended, and the other not neglected, having 
a neer dependancy one upon the other, especially at this time ; 
the Ministers of Christ who have cast off all lording power 
over one another, are created field-Ofhcers, whose Office is ^ 
extravagant in this Army, chiefly to encourage the fighting 
Souldiers, and to lead them on upon the enemy in the most 
advantagious places, and bring on fresh supplies in all places 
of danger, to put the sword of the spirit in their Souldiers 
hands: but Christ (who is their general) must onely enable 
them to use it aright: to give every Souldier in charge that 
they watch over one another, to see that none meddle with 
the execrable things of Antichrist, and this to be performed 
in every Regiment throughout the Army: and not one to 
exercise dominion over the other by way of superiority: for 
Christ hath appointed a parity in all his Regiments, etc. let 
them beware that none go apart with rebellious Korah. And 
further, behold. Kings, Rulers, or Generals of Earths Armies, 
doth Christ make use of in this day of battell, the which he 
hath brought into the field already also; who are appointed 
to defend, uphold, and maintain the whole body of his Armies 
against the insolent, beastly, and bloody cruelty of their in- 
satiable enemies, and to keep order that none do his fellow- 
Souldier any wrong, nor that any should raise a mutiny in 
the hosts. Notwithstanding all this, if any shall say, they will 

* Against this point is a marginal note reading, "Yea every Officer hath his 
own proper Regiment." The word "extravagant" is used in the sense of "not 
confined to any small locality " — a roving commission. 



1651] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 271 

not believe the day is come till they see them ingage battell 
with Antichrist; Verily, if the Lord be pleased to open your 
eyes, you may see the beginning of the fight, and what success 
the Armies of our Lord Christ have hitherto had : the Forlorne 
hopes of Antichrists Army, were the proud Prelates of England; 
the Forlorne of Christs Armies, were these N. E. people, who 
are the subject of this History, which encountring each other 
for some space of time, ours being overpowered with multitude, 
were forced to retreat to a place of greater safety, where they 
waited for a fresh opportunity to ingage with the main battell 
of Antichrist, so soon as the Lord shall be pleased to give a 
word of Command. Immediately upon this success, the Lord 
Christ was pleased to command the right Wing of his Army, 
to advance against the left Wing of Antichrist, wherein his 
former forlorn hopes of proud Prelates lay: these by our right 
Wing had their first pay (for that they had done to our for- 
lorne before) being quite overthrown and cut in pieces by the 
valiant of the Lord in our right Wing, who still remain fighting. 
Thus far of the battell of Antichrist, and the various success: 
what the issue will be, is assuredly known in the generall 
already. Babylon is fallen, the God of truth hath said it; 
then who would not be a Souldier on Christs side, where is 
such a certainty of victory? nay I can tell you a farther word 
of encouragement, every true-hearted Souldier that falls by 
the sword in this fight, shall not lye dead long, but stand upon 
his feet again, and be made partaker of the triumph of this 
Victory: and none can be overcome, but by turning his back 
in fight. And for a word of terrour to the enemy, let them 
know, Christ will never give over the raising of fresh Forces, 
till they are overthrown root and branch. And now you an- 
tient people of Israel look out of your Prison grates, let these 
Armies of the Lord Christ Jesus provoke you to acknowledge 
he is certainly come, I [ay] and speedily he doth come to put 
life into your dry bones: here is a people not onely praying 
but fighting for you, that the great block may be removed 
out of the way, (which hath hindered hitherto) that they with 
you may enjoy that glorious resurrection-day, the glorious 
nuptials of the Lamb: when not only the Bridegroom shall 
appear to his Churches both of Jews and Gentiles, (which are 
his spouse) in a more brighter aray then ever heretofore, but 



272 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1651 

also his Bride shall be clothed by him in the richest garments 
that ever the Sons of men put on, even the glorious graces of 
Christ Jesus, in such a glorious splendor to the eyes of man, 
that they shall see and glorifie the Father of both Bridegroom 
and Bride. 

1. Oh King of Saints, how great's thy work, say we. 
Done and to do, poor Captives to redeem! 

Mountaines of mercy makes this work to be 

Glorious that grace by which thy works are seen. 
Oh Jesu, thou a Saviour unto thine. 
Not works but grace makes us this mercy find. 

2. Of sinners cheife, no better men they be. 
Thou by thy work hast made thy work to do: 

Thy Captaines strength weak dust appears in thee, 
While thou art brought such wondrous works unto. 
Then Christ doth all, I [ay] ail is done for his 
Redeemed ones, his onely work it is. 

3. Doth Christ build Churches ? who can them deface ? 
He purchast them, none can his right deny: 

Not all the world, ten thousand worlds; his grace 
Caus'd him once them at greater price to buy. 
Nor marvell then if Kings and Kingdomes he 
Destroy'd, when they do cause his folke to flee. 

4. Christ is come down possession for to take 
Of his deer purchase; who can hinder him? 

Not all the Armies earthly men can make: 
Millions of spirits, although Divels grim: 

Can Pope or Turke with all their mortall power. 
Stay Christ from his inheritance one hour? 

5. All Nations band your selves together now, 
You shall fall down as dust from bellows blown: 

How easie can our King your power bow ? 

Though higher you in mens accompt were grown. 
As drop in bucket shall those waters be. 
Whereon that WTiore doth sit in high degree. 

6. Christs wrath is kindled, who can stand before 
His anger, that so long hath been provoked ? 

In moment perish shall all him before, 

WTio touch'd Mount Sinai, and it soundly smoaked. 
New-England Churches you are Christs, you say, 
So sure are all that walk in Christs way. 



1661] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 273 

7. No such need fear fury of men or Divels, 
Why, Christ among you takes his dayly walk: 

He made you gold, you keeps from rusting evils, 

And hid you here from strife of tongues proud talke. 
Amongst his he for their defence doth bide, 
They need no more that have Christ on their side. 

8. Man be not proud of this thy exaltation: 

For thou wast dung and dogs filth when Christ wrought 
In thee his work, and set thee in this station 

To stand; from him thy strength is dayly brought. 
Yet in him thou shalt go triumphant on: 
Not thou but Christ triumphs his foes upon. 

9. You people whom he by the hand did lead 
From Egypt land through Seas with watry wall: 

Apply your selves his Scriptures for to read: 
In reading do for eyes enlightned call, 

And you shall see Christ once being come is now 
Again at hand your stubborn hearts to bow. 

10. Though scattered you, Earths Kingdoms are throughout 
In bondage brought, cheife by those make some shew 

Of Jewish rights; they Christ with you cast out; 
Christ will their Cords for you in sunder hew. 
Through unbelief e you were to bondage brought: 
Believe that Christ for you great work hath wrought. 

11. He will your heart not member circumcise: 
Oh search and see, this is your Jesus sure. 

Refuse him not, would God you were so wise: 
None but this King can ought your hope procure. 
Once doting on an Earthly Kingdom you 
Mist of your Christ; be sure be wiser now. 

12. The day's at hand he will you wiser make 

To know Earths Kingdoms are too scant and base 
For such a price, as Christ paid for your sake: 

Kings you shall be, but in a higher place; 
Yet for your freedom Nations great shall fall. 
That without fear of foes, him serve you shall. 

13. You are the men that Christ will cause subdue 
Those Turkish Troops, that joyned Jews have been: 

His Gentile Churches cast down Babels crue: 
Then you that brood of Mahumetts shall win, 

Destroy his seed 'mongst Persians, Turkes and Moores, 
And for poor Christians ope the Prison doors. 



274 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [1651 

14. Your Nation prov'd too scant for his possession, 
Whose pretious blood was made a price for sin: 

And Nations all who were in like transgression; 
Some of the whole Christ to his Crown will win, 
And now makes way for this his work indeed, 
That through the world his Kingdom may proceed. 

15. Now Nations all I pray you look about, 
Christ comes you neer, his power I pray embrace: 

In's word him seek; he's found without all doubt: 
He doth beseech with teares, Oh seek his face: 
Yet time there is, the Battel's but begun; 
Christ, call thy folke that they to thee may run. 

16. Place them in thy strong Armies newly gather'd. 
Thy Churches, Lord, increase and fill withall: 

Those blessed ones are given thee by thy Father, 
The wickeds Rod off from their backs recall. 

Breake off their yokes, that they with freedom may 
Tell of thy workes, and praise thee every day. 

17. Lord Christ, go on with thy great wonders working, 
Down headlong cast all Antichristian power: 

Unmaske those men that lye in corners lurking, 
WTiose damned doctrines dayly seates advance. 
For why, thy Folke for this are dayly longing. 
That Nations may come in thy Churches thronging. 

18. WTiat greater joy can come thy Saints among, 
Then to behold their Christ exalted high? 

Thy Spirits joy with ravishment stirs strong 

Thy Folke, while they thy Kingdomes glory eye. 
Angels rejoyce because their waiting is 
In Saints assembly, where thy name they bliss. 

19. Thy workes are not in Israels Land confined. 
From East to West thy wondrous works are known 

To Nations all thou hast thy grace assigned. 

Thy spirits breathings through the World are blown. 
All Languages and tongues do tell thy praise. 
Dead hear thy voyce, them thou dost living raise. 

20. Oh blessed dayes of Son of Man now seen, 
You that have long'd so sore them to behold, 

March forth in's might, and stoutly stand between 
The mighties sword, and Christs dear flock infold. 
LTndauntod close and clash with them; for why? 
'Gainst Christ they are, and he with thee stands by. 



1651] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR IN NEW ENGLAND 275 

21. No Captive thou, nor Death can on thee seize. 
Fight, stand, and Uve in Christ thou dayly dost: 
He long ago did lead as Captives these. 

And ever lives to save thee where thou goest. 
His Father still, and Spirit shall with thee 
Abide, and crowne thy Head with lasting glee. 

For thy words sake, and according to thine own heart, 
hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant 
know them, 2 Sam. 7. 21. 

FINIS. 



1 



INDEX 



Aberginian, 41, 41 n. 

Adams, C. F., Three Episodes of Massa- 
chusetts History, 40 n., 124 n. 

Aggawam, see Essex County. 

Agissawam, 41 n. 

Allen, Bozoan, 229. 

Allen, Rev. John, 171, 171 n., 179, 215. 

Allen, Thomas, 215. 

Allin, John, Jr., 202, 202 n. 

America Painted to the Life, 3. 

American Antiquarian Society, 4. 

Ames, Rev. William, 202, 202 n. 

Anabaptists, 31, 31 n., 132 n., 269. 

Andover, 231, 249. 

Anne, Cape, 205. 

Antigua, 247 n. 

Antinomians, 31, 31 n., 50, 67 n., 68 n., 
83 n., 102 n., 124 n., 134 n., 179 n., 
197 n., 252, 269. 

Apollonius, Rev. William, 104 n. 

Aquidneck, 186 n. 

Arbella, ship, 51 n., 56, 63 n., 65. 

Arber, Edward, English Reprints, 13. 

Arians, 50. 

Arminians, 50. 

Atherton, Capt. Humphrey, 142 n., 143, 
229. 

Baillie, Rev. Robert, 125, 137; Dissua- 
sive from the Errors of the Time, 125 n., 
137 n. 

Ball, Rev. John, 137; Trial of the New 
Church Way in New England and in 
Old, 137 n. 

Barbados, 55, 247, 247 n. 

Barnard, Tobias, 202, 202 n. 

Batchellor, Rev. Stephen, 73, 188 n., 
189. 

Bellingham, Gov. Richard, 37, 37 n., 97, 
97 n., 101, 192, 205. 

Bennet, Philip, 265. 

Berkeley, Sir William, 265 n. 

Bermudas, 55, 247 n., 267. 

Blackstone, see Blaxton. 

Blaxton, Rev. William, 46, 46 n., 64. 



Blaxton's point, 64. 

Blinman, Rev. Richard, 205, 206 n. 

Body of Liberties, by Nathaniel Ward, 
97 n., 244 n. 

Boston, 191; defeated hopes of being a 
city, 9, 247; situation of, 11; church 
of Christ, 70, 88; frontier town, 90; 
trade of, 96; petition of church, 174 n.; 
fifty-eight persons disarmed, 175; 
farms kept from being part of Brain- 
tree, 197, 197 n.; foundation of, 212 
n.; forts of, 227-232; growth of, 247; 
petition to be made a corporation, 9, 

247 n.; coopers and shoemakers of, 

248 n.; founding of the Old North 
Church, 251, 251 n. 

Bradford, History of Plymouth Planta- 
tion, 14, 42 n., 46 n. 

Bradstreet, Gov. Simon, 65, 141, 249. 

Braintree, 117 n., 171 n., 197, 236, 246. 
246 n. 

Branford, Conn., 195 n. 

Brewster, Nathaniel, 202, 202 n. 

Bridges, Capt. Robert, 231. 

Brigham, Sebastian, 231. 

Bright, Rev. Francis, 46 n. 

Brooke, Nathaniel, 3, 10, 11, 21. 

Brooke, Lord, 106, 118 n. 

Browne, Rev. Edmund, 171, 171 n., 182, 
196. 

Brownists or Separatists, Errours of the 
Sect called, by Wm. Rathband, 137 n. 

Bulkley, Rev. Edward, 111 n., 202, 202 n. 

Bulkley, Rev. John, 111 n., 202, 202 n. 

Bulkley, Rev. Peter, 110. 

Burr, Rev. Jonathan, 192, 192 n., 215 n. 

Burrough, Rev. Jeremiah, 138, 138 n. 

Cambridge, founding of, 90; church of, 
93, 93 n., 252; plan of certain people 
to remove to Connecticut, 105-107; 
first synod held at, 170-175; printing- 
press of, 183 n.; selected as a site for 
Harvard College, 200; second synod 
held at, 242-243. 



277 



278 



INDEX 



Cambridge Platform, 242 n. 

Cambridge Synods, 25 n. ; first, 152 n., 
170-175; second, 242-243. 

Canonicus, 161-163, 235. 

Canterbury, 5, 6, 50 n. 

Carter, Rev. Thomas, 117, 117 n., 135, 
215, 217, 217 n. 

Castle Island, 33 n., 69, 93 n., 170 n., 
232, 232 n., 234. 

Charles I., 23 n., 37 n., 38 n., 157 n., 
158 n., 208 n. 

Charles River, 38, 63 n., 64, 65, 67, 68, 
74, 84, 90. 

Charlestown, Johnson settled in, 6; 
founding of town and church, 7; es- 
tablishment of civil government, 65; 
meeting of Court of Assistants at, 66, 

66 n.; church divided into two, 67, 

67 n.; situation and description of, 
68-69; another church founded, 70, 
70 n.; Rev. Thomas James, pastor of 
church of, 82, 82 n. ; frontier town, 
90; helpers in the church of, 100; 
two persons disarmed in, 175; founda- 
tion not due to definite acts of the 
General Court, 212 n.; church ap- 
pointed seven men to supervise new 
settlement of Woburn, 212, 213 n.; 
forts of, 227-232; growth of, 247; the 
fire of 1650, 259 n. 

Charter of Freedom, 208. 

Chauncy, Rev. Charles, 180 n., 181, 
192 n , 194. 

Chelmsford, 227 n. 

Chelsea, 64. 

Child, Dr. Robert, 141 n., 240 n. 

Church covenant, 216. 

Church Discipline, Platform of, agreed 
upon by the Synod at Cambridge, 242 n. 

Church-Discipline, Survey of the Summe 
of, by Thomas Hooker, 91 n. 

Church-Government exercised in Presby- 
teriall, Classicall and Syrwdicall As- 
semblies, by John Paget, 137 n. 

Church of England, 154-160, 240 n. 

Church of Scotland, 240 n. 

Church officers, 26-30, 34, 35, 38. 

Churches, rules for governing, 25-26; 
conduct of members, 28-29; govern- 
ment in, 98. 

Churches of Christ in New England, 
The Way of the, by John Cotton, 
125 n. 



Churches, see also St. Botolph'g and 
St. George's. 

Clap, Roger, 229. 

Cod, Cape, 176, 176 n. 

Coddington, William, 185 n. 

Coitmore, Thomas, 253. 

Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Pub- 
lications of the, 162 n. 

Comet of 1618, 39. 

Commissioners of Plantations, 37 n., 
241 n. 

Commonwealth, see Massachusetts. 

Concord, 110, 111, 115 n., 195. 

Congregational churches, general coun- 
cils or synods of, 152 n., 170-175, 242- 
243. 

Congregationalism, democratic methods 
of, 7; principles and practices of, 10; 
polity of, 25-26, 26 n; theory regard- 
ing churches, 27 n. ; essential features 
in Massachusetts Bay of, 46 n.; clas- 
sical exposition of polity in New Eng- 
land of, 91 n.; controversy respecting 
merits of systems of Presbyterianism 
and, 137, 138, 172; imposition of 
hands, 217 n.; use of synods and 
councils, 242 n. 

Connecticut, migration to, 91 n., 105- 
106, 193 n.; Samuel Stone removed 
to, 93 n.; settlement of Saybrook 
transferred to the colony of, 118 n.; 
Pequot country, 148 n. ; New Haven 
Colony absorbed by, 178 n.; con- 
federation to assist other colonies, 
219. 

Connecticut River, 147. 

Cook, Col. George, 230. 

Copeland, Rev. Patrick, 267 n. 

Cotton, Rev. John, 63 n., 67 n., 87-89, 
125, 174, 215, 268; The Way of the 
Churches of Christ in New England, 
125 n. 

Cotton, Rev. Seaborn, 9, 63, 202, 202 n. 

Covenant of Grace Opened, 111 n. 

Cradock, Matthew, 10, 12, 38. 

Cutter, William R., 8. 

Dalton, Rev. Timothy, 188 n., 189. 
Dane, Rev. Francis, 249. 
Danforth, Samuel, 202, 202 n. 
Davenport, Rev. John, 46 n., 171, 171 n., 

176 n., 177, 177 n. 
Davenport, Capt. Richard, 170, 232. 



INDEX 



279 



Deacons, 25 n., 27 n., 68. 

Dedham, 171 n., 179. 

Dennison, Major-Gen. Daniel, 230. 

Denton, Rev. Richard, 193 n., 194. 

Deputies, election of town, 141, 142; 
principal ones, 143, 144. 

Discipline, rules of, for the people of 
Christ, 33-35. 

Dissuasive from the Errors of the Time, 
by Robert Baillie, 125 n., 137 n. 

Doctrines, 26, 27, 29, 36, 50, 99, 123- 
136, 147, 220. 

Dodge, Prof. R. E. Neil, Johnson's 
metres, 12. 

Dorchester, description of, and organi- 
zation of church of, 69, 69 n.; Rev. 
Richard Mather called to the church 
of, 105, 105 n.; emigration to Con- 
necticut, 106; Rev. Jonathan Burr 
called to, 192, 192 n.; foundation not 
due to definite acts of the General 
Court, 212 n. 

Dover, 206, 207, 207 n. 

Downing, George, 202, 202 n. 

Draper, John, 17. 

Dudley, Gov.Thomas, 9; elected deputy- 
governor, 65, 77, 81, 85, 139, 182, 188, 
240, 245, 249, 252, 255; elected gov- 
ernor, 81 n., 93, 192, 234, 254; elected 
major-general, 228; death of, 81 n. 

Dummer, Richard, 99. 

Duncan, Nathaniel, 142 n., 143. 

Dunkirk men-of-war, 56, 56 n. 

Dunster, Pres. Henry, 198, 202, 204, 
215. 

Durand, Rev. William, 267, 267 n. 

Dutch, 59, 71, 76, 101, 148, 150, 219. 

Duxbury, 118 n., 119. 

Eagle, 51, 56. 

Earthquakes, 160, 160 n., 185, 225. 
East Greenwich, manor of, 37. 
Eaton, Rev. Samuel, 192 n., 193. 
Eaton, Theophilus, 171, 171 n., 176, 

176 n., 177 n., 178. 
Eclogues, Spenser's, 14. 
Elders, 26, 27, 27 n., 28, 68, 70 n., 99, 

108, 216, 217. 
Elegy, Gray's, 13. 
Eliot, Rev. John, 72, 215, 264. 
Endicott, Gov. John, 9, 12; governor of 

colony at Naumkeag, 44 n. ; elected 

deputy-governor, 205, 209, 219, 245, 



254; elected governor, 225, 252, 255; 

elected major-general, 234, 249. 
Endicott Rock, 37 n. 
English Independency, 242 n. 
English nation, 23, 24, 40, 49, 59, 154- 

161. 
English Reprints, Arber's, 13. 
Essex County, 96, 96 n., 229, 231. 

Famihsts, 31, 31 n., 50, 249. 

Farrett, James, 195 n. 

Fenwick, George, 118, 118 n. 

Fisk, Rev. John, 171, 171 n., 182, 226, 
227, 227 n. 

Flint, Rev. Henry, 117 n., 197. 

Flint, Thomas, 117. 

Fordham, Rev. Robert, 195, 195 n. 

Formalists, 50. 

France, 55. 

Frederick V., 158 n. 

Freemen, 66, 141 ; number admitted in 
successive years, 66, 77, 81, 85, 93, 
101, 118, 139, 182, 188, 192, 205, 209, 
219, 225, 240, 245, 249, 254. 

French, 59, 71, 76, 219. 

Gabriel, ship, 61 n. 

Gardiner, Sir Christopher, 10, 163 n. 

Gardiner, Lion, 163 n.; Relation of the 
P equal Wars, 165 n. 

Gassendi, 39 n. 

General Court, 8, 9, 140, 141 n., 228, 
228 n.; gift of Dr. Wilson acknowl- 
edged by, 33 n.; meetings of, 65, 65 n. 
66, 66 n. ; rules for election of gov- 
ernor and deputy-governor, 81 n.; 
counties organized by, 96 n. ; laws 
passed to restrict wages, 200 n. ; com- 
mittee to examine state of Harvard 
College, 204 n.; order relating to salt- 
petre, 218; fuller code of laws pre- 
pared, 244, 244 n. 

Geneva Bible, 52 n. 

Germans, 59. 

Gerrish, William, 231. 

Gibbons, Major-Gen. Edward, 64, 161 n., 
229, 235, 252, 254, 256. 

Gloucester, 45, 205, 206, 231. 

Glover, John, 143. 

Glover, Rev. Jose, 183, 183 n. 

Goffe, Thomas, 38 n. 

Golding, Rev. William, 267. 

Goodenow, Edmimd, 230. 



280 



INDEX 



Goodwin, Rev. Thomas, 138, 138 n. 

Gookin, Major-Gen. Daniel, 5, 142 n., 
143, 230. 

Gorges, Sir Ferdinando, 3, 4. 

Gorges, Ferdinando, Esquire, 3, 4. 

Gorges, Robert, 46 n. 

Gorton, Samuel, arrest of, 9, 224; re- 
ports injurious to the Massachusetts 
plantation, 10; theology of, 31 n.; 
leader of the so-called heretics, 220, 
220 n.; relations with the Indians, 
222-223; Simplicities Defence against 
Seven-Headed Policie, 223 n.; govern- 
ment not to molest, 241 n. 

Gortonists, theology of, 31, 50, 122; 
heresies of, 128, 129; incite the Ind- 
ians, 220; seek to defraud Indians of 
their land, 222-223; numbers in- 
crease, 224 ; arrest and imprisonment 
ot members, 224-225; government 
not to molest, 241, 241 n. 

Gospel Covenant, The, by Peter Bulkley, 
llln. 

Gospell breaking forth upon the Indians of 
New England, The Clear Sunshine of 
the, 264 n. 

Gospell mith the Indians in New England, 
The Day-Breaking if not the Sun- 
Rising of the, 264 n. 

Government, civil, 90, 123 n.; rules re- 
lating to, 30-32; Plymouth, 43; es- 
tablishing of, 63-65; election of 
officers and their duties, 139-140; 
members, 140-141; sectaries not to be 
tolerated, 144-145; kind of men to be 
chosen to uphold the, 145-146. 

Gray's Elegy, 13. 

Great Britain, 36, 247, see also Eng- 
lish nation. 

Green, Rev. Henry, 226. 

Green-Harbor, see Marshfield. 

Greenleaf, Edmund, 231. 

Griffin, ship, 63 n. 

Guilford, 177 n., 193 n. 

Hampton, 74 n., 188, 189, 190, 231. 
Harlackenden, Roger, 103. 
Harrison, Rev. Thomas, 266-267, 267 n. 
Hartford, 91 n., 93 n., 105, 118, 149. 
Harvard, Rev. John, 187, 187 n., 201, 

201 n. 
Harvard College, 90, 105 n., 180 n., 187, 

198 n., 200-205, 228 n. 



Hathome, Capt. William, 142 n., 143, 
231. 

Haverhill, 231, 234. 

Hawkins, Jane, 132 n., 187 n. 

Hawthorne, see Hathome. 

Haynes, Gov. John, 87, 101. 106. 

Hempstead, Long Island, 193 n., 195 n. 

Hewett, Rev. Ephraim, 193 n., 194. 

Higginson, Rev. Francis, 46, 47, 109; 
New England's Plantation, 47 n. 

Higginson, Rev. John, 161 n. 

Hill, Joseph, 142 n., 143, 230. 

Hingham, 115, 115 n., 116, 116 n., 193 n. 

Hobart, Rev. Peter, 115, 116 n. 

Holland, 32, 247, see also Dutch. 

Hooke, Rev. William, 192 n., 193, 193 n. 

Hooker, Rev. Thomas, 87, 90, 93, 106, 
118, 252 ; Survey of Church-Discipline, 
91 n. 

Hopkins, Gov. Edward, 171, 171 n., 
178, 178 n. 

Hough, Rev. Samuel, 226. 

Hour-glass, 136 n. 

Hubbard, Rev. William, 142 n., 143. 

Hull, 250. 

Husbandmen, Company of, 73 n. 

Hutchinson, Mrs. Anne, 68 n. ; popu- 
larity of, 28 n.; doctrine of, 31 n., 
John Cotton's position toward teach- 
ings of, 88 n. ; leader of Antinomians, 
124 n.; women as preachers, 127; 
removal to Pelham Neck and subse- 
quent murder, 186, 186 n. 

Hutchinsonian party, 152 n., 174 n, 
see also Antinomians. 

Igoshaum, 41. 

Independency, in England, 242 n. 

Indians, 45, 76, 85, 87, 90, 92, 108, 109, 
114, 159, 195; reception of the first 
settlers, 39-40; Massachusetts, 41, 
41 n.; attack against Plymouth set- 
tlers, 42; stories of Samoset and 
Squanto, 43, 43 n.; trading for 
beaver-skins with the, 64; John 
Eliot's missionary work among the, 
72 n., 264; complaint against the 
Tarratines, 78; attack on Saugus, 79; 
small-pox plague, 79-80; peaceful 
agreement for purchase of Concord, 
110 n., HI, 112; paths of, 113; be- 
ginning of Pequot war, 147-150; 
embassy to Canonicus, 161-163; con- 



INDEX 



281 



duct of the Pequots, 164; war with 
the, 167-170; murder of Anne Hutch- 
inson and daughters. 186-187; battle 
between the Narragansetts and Mo- 
hegans, 219-222; preparations for 
second war against, 234-236; preach- 
ing to the, 261-264; massacre of 1644, 
265-266. 

Ipswich, 74 n., 100, 143; organization of 
church at, 95-96; description of, 96; 
ministers of church of, 119; two 
people disarmed in, 175; growth of, 
247. 

Ireland, 55, 78, 108. 

Ireland, Deputy of, 92. 

Jackson, Edward, 143. 

Jacobites, 74, 90, 113, 147, 160, 238. 

James I., 23 n., 158 n. 

James, Rev. Thomas, 82, 82 n., 100. 

Tenners, Rev. Thomas, 180 n., 181. 

Jennison, William, 230. 

John, Sagamore, 79, 80 n. 

Johnson, Lady Arbella, 56, 64. 

Johnson, Capt. Edward, 43 n., 45 n., 
49 n., 50 n., 52 n., 58 n., 63 n., 100 n., 
134 n., 143 n., 162 n., 222 n., 229 n., 
230 n., 264 n.; Wonder-working Provi- 
dence, 4-5; emigration to Massa- 
chusetts, 6; account of the settling of 
Charlestown, 7; service in the colony, 
8-9; reasons for publishing book, 10; 
typographical errors and style of 
book, 11-14; character and personal 
qualities of, 15-16; editions of his 
book, 17; accusations against the 
Anabaptists, 31 n.; commissioner to 
survey Merrimac River, 37 n. ; pas- 
senger on the Eagle, 51 n. ; description 
of Charlestown, 69 n.; exploration of 
Woburn, 74, 74 n. ; account of so- 
called Antinomians, 124 n.; election 
of magistrates, 141 n.; probable mem- 
ber of embassy to Canonicus, 161 n.; 
member of committee of the General 
Court to examine the state of Harvard 
College, 204 n.; supervised new settle- 
ment of Woburn, 213 n.; appointed 
surveyor of military stores, 231 n. 

Johnson, Hon. Edward F., 8. 

Johnson, Isaac, 56, 65, 229. 

Johnson, John, 144, 231, 231 n. 

Johnson, William, of Canterbury, 5. 



Johnson, Major William, 7, 18. 
Jones, Rev. John, 110, 112, 202, 202 n. 

Kent, 5. 
Kepler, 39 n. 
Kieft's war, 186 n. 

Knowles, Rev. John, 190, 191, 191 n., 
215, 265. 

Lamberton, Capt. George, 178, 178 n., 
254. 

Laudian persecution, 94, 

Lawes and Libertyes concerning the In- 
habitants of the Massachxisets, The 
Book of the General, 244 n. 

Laws, 97 n., 244, 244 n. 

Legend of Gaveston, 14. 

Leveridge, Rev. William, 264 n. 

Long Island, 195. 

Lothrop, Rev. John, 98. 

Lothrop, Thomas, 231. 

Ludlow, Roger, 93. 

Lusher, Eleazar, 143, 229. 

Lynn, 195 n.; churches of, 70 n.; de- 
scription of, 73 ; attack of the Indians, 
79; Rev. Samuel Whiting welcomed 
by church of, 120; iron work at, 246 n. 

Magistrates, not to open gates of forts, 
32; election by the freemen in Gen- 
eral Court, 81, 81 n., 140, 141 n.; not 
to do evil, 145-146; duty to be present 
at church, 215. 

Magnolia, by Cotton Mather, 14. 

Maine, 73 n. 

Maiden, 230, 249, 250. 

Manufactures, 245. 

Marshfield, 206 n. 

Martha's Vineyard, 38 n., 49 n., 264. 

Mary Rose, ship, 258 n. 

Mason, Hugh, 230. 

Mason, Capt. John, 167 n., 168 n.; 
Brief History of the Pequod War, 165 n. 

Massachusetts, History of New-England, 
from the English planting in the Yeere 
1628 until the Yeere 1652, 3; relations 
between Sir Ferdinando Gorges and, 
4; arrival of Capt. Johnson in, 6; re- 
ports injurious to plantation of, 10; 
distinguished founders and their prin- 
ciples, 15-16; doctrine of the govern- 
ment of, 31 n.; claim to New Hamp- 
shire and Maine, 37 n. ; the pestilence 



282 



INDEX 



of 1616-1617, 40, 40 n.-41; number 
of churches in, 49 n.; relations of 
Samuel Maverick with, 64 n.; coun- 
ties of, 96 n.; first code of laws 
of, 97 n.; government maintained 
right to punish for infractions of 
the "First Table," 123 n.; public 
worship in, 135 n.; arrest of Thomas 
Morton by the magistrates of, 155 
n. ; expedition against the Indians 
by a body of troops, 164 n.; leA^ 
of men in war against Indians, 
165, 165 n.; Wm. Coddington ban- 
ished from, 185 n., authority ex- 
tended over New Hampshire, 207 n.; 
emigrants to island in Caribbean 
Sea, 208 n. ; confederation to assist 
other colonies, 219; jurisdiction ex- 
tended over the Shawomet region, 
222 n.; relations of the Gortonists 
and, 223-224; drilling of soldiers, 
228; military officers, 228-232; Wm. 
Pynchon named in patent of, 236 n.; 
petition against the government of, 
240; another code of laws prepared, 
244, 244 n. 

Massachusetts, Chronicles of, by Alex- 
ander Young, 94. 

Massachusetts History, Three Episodes 
of, by C. F. Adams, 40 n., 124 n. 

Massachusetts Bay, 67, 179. 

Massachusetts Company, 4, 37 n. 

Massachusetts Historical Society, 17. 

Massasoit, 41. 

Mather, Rev. Cotton, 251 n.; Magnolia, 
14. 

Mather, Rev. Increase, 105 n., 251 n. 

Mather, Rev. Nathaniel, 202. 

Mather, Rev. Richard, 105, 215. 

Mather, Rev. Samuel, 202, 202 n., 251 n. 

Mathews, Rev. Marmaduke, 250, 250 n. 

Matthews, Albert, 162 n. 

Maude, Rev. Daniel, 207, 207 n. 

Maverick, Rev. John, 70, 105, 240 n. 

Maverick, Samuel, 63, 64, 105, 240 n. 

Mawhiggins, see Mohegans. 

Mayhew, Rev. Thomas, 264, 264 n. 

Mayhew, Thomas, Sr., 38 n., 264 n. 

Medfield, 179 n. 

Mennonites, 31 n. 

Mercurius Politicus, 4. 

Meritorious Price of Our Redemption, 
The, by Wm. Pynchon, 237. 



Merrimac River, 37n., 38, 90, 99, 189, 214. 

Mexanino, 235 n., 236. 

Miantonomoh, 161, 220-222. 

Middlesex County, 96 n., 229. 

Milford, Conn., 177 n. 

Military affairs, 227-233. 

Miller, Rev. John, 184, 215 n. 

Ministers, duties of, 27, 27 n.; banish- 
ment to the New World, 53; work of 
the, 142; encouragement to people of 
Hartford by, 165-166; members of 
Cambridge Synod, 171-173; churches 
edified by the, 182. 

Mixan, see Mexanino. 

Mohegans, 148, 219-222. 

Morton, Thomas, 10, 69, 154; New Eng- 
lish Canaan, 155 n. 

Mount WoUestone, see Braintree. 

Moxon, Rev. George, 237, 237 n. 

Miinster, 132. 

Mystic, Conn., 167 n., 250. 

Mystic River, 167 n., 214, 250. 

Nanepashemet, 80 n. 

Nantasket, 93 n. 

Narragansetts, 41, 148, 161, 219, 222. 

Natick, 72. 

New England, 21, 23, 24, 30, 53; origins 
of town and church government in, 7; 
ecclesiastical and civil polity of, 10; 
first published history of, 14; people 
shipped to, 25; gift of Dr. Wilson to, 
33 n.; Puritan emigration to, 37 n. 

New England, Brief e Discription of, by 
Samuel Maverick, 64 n. 

New England, Chronological History of, 
by Thomas Prince, 4. 

New England, Council for, 37 n., 73 n. 

New England, Good A^ews from, by Ed- 
ward Winslow, 42. 

New England, History of, by Palfrey, 
167 n., 193 n. 

New England Confederation of 1643, 
178 n., 219 n. 

New England Congregationalism, 242 n., 
see also Congregationalism. 

New Englands First-Fruits, 264. 

New England's Plantation, by Rev. 
Francis Higginson, 47 n. 

N'ew Englands Prospect, by William 
Wood, 91 n. 

New English Canaan, by Thomas Mor- 
ton, 155 n. 



INDEX 



283 



New Haven, Conn., 176-178, 219, 247, 

254. 
New Rochelle, N. Y., 186 n. 
Newark, N. J., 195 n. 
Newbury, 74 n., 98, 143, 175, 189. 
Newfoundland, 58. 
Newman, Rev. Samuel, 180 n., 181. 
Newtown, see Cambridge. 
Niantics, 41, 148, 162. 
Noddle's Island, 63. 
Norfolk County, 96 n., 229, 231, 266 n. 
Norton, Francis, 143, 230. 
Norton, Rev. John, 94, 94 n., 103, 104, 

104 n. 
Nowell, Increase, 7 n., 85, 85 n., 86, 

215. 
Noyes, Rev. James, 98, 98 n. 

Old North Church, 251, 251 n. 
Oyster Bay, 195 n. 

Paget, Rev. John, 137 n. 

Paine, Robert, 143. 

Papists, 23, 31, 50, 144. 

Parker, Rev. Thomas, 98, 98 n. 

Parkes, William, 144. 

Parliament, 240, 240 n., 247 n. 

Partridge, Rev. Ralph, 118, 119, 119 n. 

Pastors, see Ministers. 

Peck, Robert, 193 n., 194. 

Pelham, Herbert, 188. 

Pelham, William, 230. 

Pelham Neck, 186 n. 

Pequod War, Brief History of the, by 
Capt. John Mason, 165 n. 

Pequots, 161 n.; afflicted by the pesti- 
lence of 1616-1617, 41; beginning of 
war with the English, 147-149; coun- 
cil of war, 162-164; accounts of war, 
165 n.; attack on fort of the, 167; 
battle between the English and the, 
167-170. 

Pequot Wars, Relation of the, by Lion 
Gardiner, 165 n. 

Perkins, William, 229. 

Pessacus, 235 n., 236. 

Peters, Rev. Hugh, 109, 109 n., 262. 

Philip, King, 41. 

Phillips, Rev. George, 75, 191, 252. 

Pierson, Rev. Abraham, 195, 195 n. 

Pilgrim, 199, 199 n. 

Pinnace, Capt. Chadwick's, 258 n. 

Piscataqua River, 207, 207 n. 



Plantations, Commissioners of, 37 n., 
241 n. 

Plough, Company of the, 73 n. 

Plymouth, 32 n., 43, 49 n., 98, 193, 219. 

Plymouth Plantation, History of, by 
Bradford, 14, 42 n., 46 n. 

Pokanoket, country of, 40. 

Pomham, 220, 222. 

Poole, Dr. William F., 17. 

Popery, 23, 31, 50, 144. 

Portugal, 59, 71, 247. 

Powwows, 41, 80, 168. 

Prelacy, 71, 76; servitude xmder, 23; 
resolved to cast down false foundation 
of, 24; their pressure on the churches, 
31; enemy to Reformation, 122; Puri- 
tans struggle against, 155 n.; petition- 
ers for, 240. 

Prelates, 147; lands in England, 96; war 
with Scotland, 157, 157 n., 158, 160; 
lordly power of, 171; defeat of, 269, 
271. 

Presbyterians, 122; accused of prostrat- 
ing the authority of Christ, 131; con- 
troversy respecting merits of systems 
of Congregationalists and, 137 n., 
138 n., 172; withdrawal of Saxton 
and Denton from New England on ac- 
count of, 193 n.; petition for Presby- 
terian government, 240. 

Presbyteries, Due Right of, by Rev. 
Samuel Rutherfurd, 137 n. 

Prichard, Hugh, 229. 

Prince, Thomas, Chronological History of 
New England, 4. 

Printing, 182. 

Proclamations, 23, 24, 26. 

Providence, R. I., 185, 185 n. 

Providence, Isle of, 208. 

Psalms of Sternhold and Hopkins, 12. 

Puritan emigration, 37 n. 

Puritans, 10, 26 n., 155 n., 158 n. 

Pynchon, William, 236, 236 n., 237 n. 

Quinipiac, 176 n. 
Quincy, 197 n. 

Rathband, Rev. William, 137, 212. 
Rawson, Edward, 142 n., 143. 
Rayner, Rev. John, 192, 192 n. 
Reading, 225. 

Reformation, 49, 121, 132 n., 236-238. 
Rhode Island, 185, 185 n. 



284 



INDEX 



Rogers, Rev. Ezekiel, 183, 183 n., 184. 

Rogers, Rev. Nathaniel, 118, 119. 

Rowley, 182. 

Roxbury, church of, 70 n., 71; situation 
and description of, 71-72; calling of 
Rev. Thomas Welde to church of, 83, 
83 n.; five people disarmed in, 175; 
story of maid lost in storm, 191. 

Russell, Richard, 142 n., 143. 

Rutherfurd, Rev. Samuel, Due Right of 
Presbyteries, 137 n. 

Saco, Me., 180 n. 

Sagamores, 41. 

Saggamore, John, 79, 80 n. 

St. Botolph's Church, Boston, England, 
G3n., 88 n. 

St. George's Church, Canterbury, 5-6. 

Salem, 73; founding of, 45; first church 
of, 46, 46 n., 47-49; new arrivals at, 
64; ministers of church of, 109; six 
people disarmed in, 175; foundation 
not due to definite acts of the General 
Court, 212 n.; growth of, 247. 

Salisbury, 189, 231, 234. 

Saltonstall, Sir Richard, 74, 102 n. 

Saltonstall, Richard, Esquire, 74, 102 n. 

Sargent, William, 250. 

Saugus, 79, 120. 

Savage, James, 17. 

Savage, Thomas, 229. 

Saxton, Rev. Peter, 193 n., 194. 

Saybrook Fort, 106, 118, 148, 148 n., 
163 n. 

Saye, Lord, 106, 118 n. 

Scituate, 98, 180, 193 n. 

Scotland, 55. 

Seaforl, ship, 253, 253 n. 

Sectaries, 31, 31 n., 144. 

Sedgwick, Major-Gen. Robert, 7 n., 
212 n., 230. 

Seekers, the, 31, 31 n., 50, 269. 

Seekonk, 180 n. 

Sele, Lord, 118 n. 

Sewall, Samuel, Judge, 45. 

Shakespeare,William, Venus and Adonis, 
14. 

Shawshin, grant of, 90. 

Shawshin River, 214. 

Shepard, Rev. Thomas, 9, 103, 134 n., 
135; plot against, 94; account of early 
life and emigration, 94 n.; character 
of, 107; work of, 201; death of, 252 



Shepherd's Calendar, by Spenser, 14. 

Shoals, Isles of, 96. 

Simmes, see Symmes. 

Simplicities Defence against Seven- 
Headed Policie, by Samuel Gorton, 
225 n. 

Skelton, Rev. Samuel, 46 n., 48, 48 n. 

Smith, Henry, 193 n., 194. 

Smith, Capt. John, 39 n. 

Smith, Rev. Ralph, 194 n. 

Socananoco, 220, 222. 

Southampton, Long Island, 195, 195 n. 

Southold, Long Island, 177 n. 

Spain, 247. 

Spaniards, 59. 

Spenser, Shepherd's Calendar, 14; Tears 
of the Muses, 14. 

Sports, Declaration concerning, 23 n. 

Springfield, 237. 

Stamford, Conn., 177 n. 

Standish, Capt. Miles, 42, 69 n. 

State-house, 162, 162 n. 

Stone, Rev. Samuel, 87, 90 n., 93, 93 n., 
106, 118. 

Sudbury, 171 n., 195. 

Suffolk County, 96 n., 229. 

Sun, 242, 243. 

Swedes, 76, 178 n., 219. 

Symmes, Mrs. Sarah, 100. 

Symmes, Rev. Zachary, 7 n., 100, 135 n., 
215. 

Synods, 25, 152, 153, 170-176, 242, 243. 

Tears of the Muses, by Spenser, 14. 

Thatcher, Rev. Thomas, 181. 

Thompson, David, 63 n., 64. 

Thompson, Rev. William, member of 
first Synod in New England, 171, 
171 n.; called to the Weymouth 
church, 182; called to the church of 
Braintree, 197; character of, 198; ap- 
pointed to preach during war with the 
Indians, 2.35-236; sent to preach in 
Virginia, 265. 

Thompson's Island, 64 n., 69. 

Torry, William, 143, 229. 

Tottel's Miscellany, 13. 

Trial of the A'ew Church Way in Xew 
EnglandandinOldjhy JohnBaW, 137 n. 

Tyng, Capt. William, 143, 229. 

Uncas, 220-222. 

Underbill, Capt. John, 129n., 165n., 167 n. 



INDEX 



285 



Vane, Sir Henry, 102, 118, 164 n. 

Vassall, William, 240 n. 

Venus and Adonis, by William Shake- 
speare, 14. 

Virginia, 55, 247, 247 n. ; Puritans in, 
265-268. 

Voyages, 25, 35, 39, 58, 61-63. 

Wages, 200 n. 

Walker, Lieut. Richard, 79, 230. 

Walton, William, 117. 

Ward, Rev. John, 97, 103, 235. 

Ward, Rev. Nathaniel, 95, 97, 103, 235; 
Body of Liberties, 97 n. ' 

Wareham, Rev. John, 70 n., 106. 

Watertown, 90, 193, 252; church of, 
70 n. ; situation and description of, 
74; George Phillips, pastor at, 75 n.; 
John Knowles, teaching elder at, 190- 
191; foundation not due to definite 
acts of the General Court, 212 n. 

Weld, Edmund, 202 n. 

Weld, Rev. Thomas, 82, 83, 262. 

Wells, see Weld. 

Wenham, 171 n., 225, 226, 227 n., 231. 

Weymouth, 180, 180 n. 

Wheelwright, Rev. John, 31 n., 68 n., 
124 n., 197. 

Whipple, John, 143. 

White, John, 37, 37 n. 

White, Nathaniel, 267 n. 

Whitefield, Rev. Henry, 193 n., 194. 

Whiting, Rev. Samuel, 119, 120, 120 n. 

Whitingham, John, 230. 

Willard, Capt. Simon, 5, 111, 230. 

Williams, Roger, 31 n., 123 n., 161 n. 

Wilson, Doctor, 33 n., 231. 



Wilson, Rev. John, 80, 88; called to 
church of Charlestown, 67; return to 
England, 84; return to America for 
the third time, 104; went with the 
army against the Indians, 165; dedi- 
cation of Woburn church, 215; work 
among the Indians, 264. 

Wilson, John, Jr., 202, 202 n. 

Windsor, Conn., 193 n., 194. 

Winnipiseogee, Lake, 37 n. 

Winnisimmet, 63 n. 

Winslow, Edward, 241; Good News from 
New England, 42 n. 

Winthrop, Gov. John, 6, 9, 38 n., 58 n., 
80, 161; flag-ship, Arbella, 51 n.; 
elected governor, 65, 76, 81, 85, 139, 
182, 188, 209, 219, 240, 245, 249; trip 
to island to consider fortifications, 92; 
involved in dispute relating to au- 
thority of magistrates, 116 n.; elected 
deputy-governor, 118, 225, 234. 

Winthrop's Journal, 14; cited, 65 n., 
78 n., 88 n., 93 n., 101 n., 113 n., 
116 n., 119 n., 129 n., 132 n., 139 n., 
160 n., 204 n., 208 n., 219 n., 251 n., 
258 n., 267 n. 

Winthrop, John, Jr., 246 n. 

Witchcraft, 237, 237 n. 

Woburn, 4-8, 17, 74 n., 117 n., 192 n.; 
planting of church and town of, 212- 
218. 

Women, 28, 77, 262. 

Wood, WilHam, 91 n. 

Woodbridge, Rev. John, 249, 249 n. 

Worcester, Rev. Thomas, 190. 

Yarmouth, 94, 184. 



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